BOSS Martin O’Neill admitted Harry Arter’s decision not to meet up with the Republic of Ireland squad could be linked to his reported spat with Roy Keane.

Arter is not in the squad for Thursday's Nations League clash with Wales amid rumours of a disagreement with assistant manager Keane.

The midfielder, on a season-long loan at Cardiff from Cherries, was included in the provisional squad but did not make the final cut.

Arter played the full 90 minutes of Cardiff’s 3-2 Premier League defeat by Arsenal on Sunday.

O'Neill last month admitted that the 28-year-old and striker Jonathan Walters had had a difference of opinion with Keane before the friendly against the United States in June.

And the national boss said Arter's decision not to meet up with the squad could have something to do with his spat with Keane, a situation he had previously described as "defused" in an interview with The Daily Mirror.

He said: "That might be part of the reason, yes. It could well be if that's the case. But he's got a number of things to consider."

O’Neill revealed Arter's loan move had been a factor in his decision.

He said: "Harry's concentrating on his club football at this moment. He wants to get back on track.

"His club appearances have been few and far between recently and he wants to concentrate on that."