Martin O'Neill and Roy Keane are set to become the new Ireland management team.

Newstalk understands that O'Neill will agree the final terms of a deal with the Football Association of Ireland early next week, but he has told the Association that he wants Keane on-board as his assistant manager.

The appointment of the duo would represent a huge coup for the FAI as they look to fill the Aviva Stadium for the team's final home friendly of the year against Latvia on November 15th.

Keane's involvement will come as a major surprise after the former Ireland captain had a series of public disputes with the FAI throughout his career.

However, the FAI are understood to be happy to go along with O'Neill's wishes in order to secure the services of their preferred candidate.

The appointment of O'Neill ahead of Mick McCarthy had looked increasingly likely after Ipswich Town announced on Thursday that they had yet to receive any approach for their manager.

And speaking after tonight's 1-1 Championship draw against Barnsley, McCarthy appeared resigned to missing-out on a return to the job.