Martin O’Neill has declined an ­opportunity to offer his support to ­assistant manager Roy Keane as he does not believe he has done anything wrong.

Rather than admonish his No 2 for falling out with striker Jonathan Walters and midfielder Harry Arter, ahead of the friendly against the United States in June, O’Neill has that Keane’s combustible nature is precisely what he likes about the former Manchester United captain.

Although Walters has linked up with the Ireland squad for their opening Nations League game against Wales, Arter declined a call-up and claimed, in a conversation with O’Neill, the falling out with Keane was behind the decision.

Although the loss of Arter is a blow to a squad short on Premier League quality, O’Neill has backed Keane in the row and delivered a glowing appraisal of the work done by his managerial partner of the past five years. “I suppose I didn’t really want to be in a position where I’m offering support to Roy,” said O’Neill. “Because he is more than capable of supporting himself.

“But what I will say is that he has been excellent since he came in [as assistant manager] and the captain Seamus Coleman would agree with me. He has been very positive, very strong and you know what you are going to get with Roy alongside you.