Martin O’Neill, the Republic of Ireland manager, has once again defended assistant manager Roy Keane after a recording of a message left by Burnley’s Stephen Ward gave a graphic account of a furious row with two of their players.

Keane clashed with striker Jonathan Walters and midfielder Harry Arter during the Republic of Ireland’s summer training camp and the controversy had been addressed by O’Neill, who was adamant he still had complete faith in the former Manchester United captain.

O’Neill hoped that would be the end of the controversy, but was forced to back Keane again after the audio, in which Ward offered an expletive-ridden version of the bust-up, was leaked on social media on Monday.

Arter refused to join up with the Ireland squad for their League of Nations game against Wales last week, as well as the friendly against Poland on Tuesday, because of the row, although Ipswich striker Walters has remained involved.

O’Neill confirmed ahead of the international in Poland that the voice in the audio was Ward’s, but added the defender had not witnessed the row. He added that, if Keane had fallen out with anyone he was the person to blame, not his assistant.