THE omission of two Sunderland players from the Republic of Ireland squad has been labelled a 'disgrace' by aggrieved former international captain Roy Keane.

And the Black Cats boss, annoyed by what he describes as "politics" within the Football Association of Ireland, feels overlooking the likes of David Connolly and Liam Miller has not been based on football reasons.

Irish boss Steve Staunton - who has included Anthony Stokes in his squad to face Wales next week - claimed earlier this week players outside the Premiership would struggle to make his get-togethers.

And it is that way of thinking that has steered Staunton towards naming Stokes, Wigan's Caleb Folan and Reading pair Shane Long and Kevin Doyle at the expense of Connolly for the European Championships qualifiers with Wales and Slovakia.

The 31-year-old has arguably proven himself as the best forward outside the top-flight.

It is that unrewarded form, along with the sort of displays Miller has been turning in as a roaming midfielder, which Keane has taken umbrage against.

Specifically, he pinpointed Connolly's fall-out with former Ireland caretaker boss Don Givens - now the Under-21s coach - as the main reason why he has been restricted to just a two minute substitute appearance since his last start in Switzerland on October 2003.

While in Miller's case, Keane claimed a genuine withdrawal from an international with Cyprus through injury was not viewed for what it was.

"I can understand Daryl Murphy not getting in because he's not played for us," said Keane. "But are you telling me there are better players in better form than Connolly and Miller?

"Liam Miller came back from the game against Cyprus with a bad foot injury and he's not been picked since. Dave had a falling out years ago. Dave has scored maybe eight in the last 10 or 11 games.

"What's holding back Liam Miller is the fact he's from Cork without a doubt. People think I'm crazy for saying that but I'm not. They don't know the FAI as well as I do. If Liam can't get in that Irish 22!"

Keane, who insisting managing Sunderland is a 'far bigger job' than the Irish role, is not the best of friends with Staunton. He once suggested he was one of Mick McCarthy's 'Muppets' during the World Cup in 2002.

But the Sunderland boss does not think his own past has anything to do with the problems.

"I don't think so because obviously Stokes is in, Liam's been picked for one or two squads while I've been here and Murphy's been in a B squad," said Keane. "Me saying this might help my players get picked for Ireland in the future. These lads should be in the squad, it's a disgrace."

The Sunderland manager also rates Murphy highly and feels the former Waterford United striker has a long term international future.

It was Murphy's eye for an injury-time goal that ensured Sunderland's unbeaten run was extended to 12 matches with the 2-2 draw with Stoke.

"He's had a big influence in the last few games like we'd hoped, everyone was telling me he had the potential to be a really top player and he shows that in different ways," said Keane.

"He should have been involved with Ireland this time but he's not really been playing for us for three or four weeks so the manager might look at that and say he's not done enough to get in the squad."

Stokes, left out of the last two matches as punishment for turning up late for the trip to Barnsley, will be involved again today.

Keane said: "I keep telling people, he's 18 years of age, he's 18. Jesus what were you doing when you were 18?

"The things I was doing at 18, it was disgraceful. I've said to the lads it's history and with his goal and his general attitude he's got a chance."