Republic of Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni has urged Robbie Keane to leave Tottenham for the sake of his international career.
Trapattoni acknowledged it would be a big move to drop his captain, but he cannot afford to enter important games with a ring-rusty front man.
"I have said it is important to him that he goes and plays," said Trapattoni. "If he stays two months on the bench without a game, we have also (Kevin) Doyle, we have (Shane) Long. Anthony Stokes and Leon Best score goals.
"We have this situation, but I hope he tries a new team. If Robbie does not find a new team, we can try other options after.
"I spoke with him, when he could go to America (he was linked to Canadian-based MLS side, Vancouver Whitecaps), and I said, 'you go.' He said to me also, 'Maybe I go to Birmingham, the first I go to is Aston Villa.'
"We need him to play games. We have options but it's important that we do not put too much pressure on the shoulders of young players. That is dangerous."
