Republic of Ireland assistant boss Roy Keane has criticised managers who withdraw their players from international duty.

The former Manchester United captain has insisted that he has no problems if players are genuinely injured, but notes that it is "ironic" when clubs rule them out for 10 to 14 days over international breaks.

Ireland are currently waiting on the availability of five players, including Sunderland defender John O'Shea, Southampton striker Shane Long and Newcastle United goalkeeper Rob Elliot.

"You ask any of the players who worked under me, I never had a problem with players going away for internationals, never," Keane told reporters. "I never ruled them out for 10-14 days every time there was an international match, I know that.

"If players were fit, they would go away, but if players aren't fit, you have got to respect the clubs. If the players aren't fit, then of course they stay at their clubs.

"But it's ironic that they all seem to get ruled out for 10-14 days. And again, not just the managers you have mentioned, it's happened with a few other club managers who have been international managers themselves."

Ireland will face Bosnia and Herzegovina in a Euro 2016 playoff tie on Friday.