Boss bends rules for Keogh

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy is happy to bend the rules for strikers when it comes to his Republic of Ireland international Andy Keogh.

The 21-year-old Dubliner is in Steve Staunton's squad for tonight's friendly against Denmark in a week which has seen Wolves strike force enjoy international endorsement.

Michael Kightly made his debut for England's Under 21s last night while Freddy Eastwood is expected to start his first game for Wales tonight.

The trio of Molineux front men played made an exciting start at Championship level in Sunday's 3-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday - but Keogh remains the odd man out after failing to find the net.

His career goal ratio is around one in every 3.5 games and that is something he is determined to improve upon now that he is wearing the club's fabled No.9 shirt.

But McCarthy is prepared to cut his £600,000 signing some slack because of an all-round game which has so impressed the Molineux fans.

"Everyone knows how hard Andy works although that is the pre-requisite of being in any side as far as I'm concerned," says McCarthy.

"But you can see why Billy Sharp scored so many goals playing alongside him.

"He will get judged by everybody on goals he scores - and that's what he wants to do himself.

"He enjoys doing it as much as any player.

"But I do make a bit of an exception for Andy as he brings so many other assets into the team. He loves playing.

"There are times when you are screaming from the sidelines that we need our centre forwards in the middle and not down the wing but he just loves working hard and playing and that is a great approach."

The Irish are determined to put on a good show before next month's crucial Euro 2008 double-header against Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

Republic manager Steve Staunton was missing from yesterday's pre-match press conference following the death of his father on Saturday - but he will be back in the dug-out tonight.

In his absence, Villa coach and Staunton'number two Kevin McDonald said: "The value of the exercise is to have one or two of the seniors who were not available for the trip to America back playing together."