Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill is open to the possibility of his assistant Roy Keane working at Aston Villa - but wants the issue resolved in the next few weeks. Keane, the former Sunderland and Ipswich manager, has been linked with a post as Paul Lambert's number two at Villa Park over the past week. The 42-year-old had previously been a contender for the manager's position at Celtic but withdrew from consideration. Waiting game: Martin O'Neill (right) wants Roy Keane's situation with Aston Villa to be resolved. O'Neill believes Keane could combine his role with the national team with new duties at Villa but does not want the matter dragging into next season. O'Neill, quoted in the Irish Independent, said: 'I want to be careful about jumping the gun because we had him signed, sealed and delivered to Celtic and that did not materialise. 'I don't really know if this is something that he is going to have a serious look at. 'But if he is then I will definitely speak (again) to Paul Lambert - and see if that kind of role can be combined. 'One thing I want to establish is what sort of in-depth conversations have gone on. In charge: The Republic of Ireland boss hopes Keane can combine his national team role with a job a Villa. 'I have spoken to Paul Lambert. Paul has spoken to Roy about the possibility of it happening. 'Nothing definitive has happened and I don't really know what sort of commitment (the Villa position) would entail. 'If he is actually a full-blooded assistant then that is something to consider. 'I don't mind it (speculation) going on for a week or two. Celtic wanted something in place as they have games coming up quite soon. 'And I assume Aston Villa will want to get something in place by the time they start pre-season. 'I don't want it to be continued right through until August time.' Thrashed: ROI were beaten 5-1 by Portugal in an international friendly on Tuesday night.

Write highlights.
Martin O'Neill is open to idea of Roy Keane taking Aston Villa assistant coach role. Republic of Ireland boss doesn't want to matter to drag into pre-season. O'Neill was ready for Keane to become new Celtic boss until plans fell through.

Problem: It would appear that Spring has finally sprung with thousands of people across the UK enjoying the sunshine as the Met Office has announced this winter has been the sunniest  in records dating back nearly 90 years. While Britain has experienced fairly average temperatures and rainfall - unlike last winter which was the wettest on record - 2015 is on track to be the sunniest since 1929. By February 25, with three days left to go of the meteorological winter, the UK had already seen 189 hours of sunshine, equalling the previous record year in 2001. Mica Constantino, aged two, enjoys the crocuses blooming in Duthie Park, Aberdeen this morning. The Met Office has announced this winter has been the sunniest on record for 90 years - but in Scotland it has also been one of the wettest since records began. The crocuses blooming in Duthie Park, Aberdeen - the UK has already seen more than 189 hours of sunshine so far this year. The Met Office predicts that with sunshine in the last three days of winter, the UK is likely to beat the record by seven hours. Unlike last year's wet and stormy winter, the season this year has recorded just 8 per cent more rainfall than the long term average, with 375 mm (14.8in) of rain across the UK, with the southern, eastern and north eastern areas of England drier than usual. But in Scotland the winter has been one of the top 10 wettest in records dating back to 1910, the Met Office said. Despite being so wet and stormy, many areas in winter 2014 also had above average sunshine, the weather experts said, because the storms brought rain in short, sharp bursts, often overnight, leaving plenty of time for sunshine in between. A very excited dog is pictured frolicking in the spring flowers at Roundly park in Leeds, West Yorkshire, this morning. A dog is pictured wrapped up warmly among the flowers at Roundly park in Leeds, West Yorkshire this morning. Three day forecast: The fine weather is not expected to last as cloud is forecast to move in from the West bringing wetter conditions. This year, winter temperatures are expected to be slightly above average, at 3.8C, compared to the long term average of 3.7C. But it was much less warm than last winter when temperatures averaged 5.2C, beginning what became the UK's hottest year on record. Early figures for February from the Met Office suggest the month was drier than average and likely to be slightly cooler than average. But it was notably mild on February 18, with 15.6C, recorded at Fyvie Castle, Aberdeenshire. In a statement the Met Office said: 'The month showed the variety of winter weather we can get in the UK - the first half of the month being dominated by high pressure, bringing mostly dry and settled and cold weather, while the second half of the month was more unsettled with westerly winds bringing Atlantic frontal systems.' The sun rises over Friars Cliff, Dorset this morning. Winter temperatures are expected to be slightly above average this year at 3.8C. Early figures for February from the Met Office suggest the month was drier than average and likely to be slightly cooler than average. Crocuses, a traditional harbinger of spring, are blooming on the famous Backs in Cambridge as the UK enjoys a bright and sunny end to February. Tourists stopped to admire the purple and lilac buds as they made the most of the sunshine to walk along the banks of the River Cam and go punting. But the fine weather is not expected to last as cloud is forecast to move in from the West later this afternoon and tomorrow will see a damp and drizzly morning, with patchy rain across the UK. Saturday will also see more persistent rain move into the West as the day goes on and strong winds. The Met Office has issued a weather warning for wind in Northern Ireland and central and southern Scotland from 5pm on Saturday to 4am on Sunday, with gusts of up to 70mph expected in exposed areas. Temperatures will be slightly milder than they have been recently, with highs of 8C in the North and 9C in the South. The first day of March on Sunday is set to be another windy day across the country, with outbreaks of rain, particularly in the North West. The afternoon is set to be brighter, with slightly cooler temperatures of 6 to 8C. 'Next week will see cold and showery weather on Monday and Tuesday, but should become more settled from Wednesday,' said Helen Roberts, of the Met Office. 'Temperatures may be slightly cooler than average.'
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Answer:
This winter has been the sunniest in records dating back almost 90 years, the Met Office has announced. While Britain has experienced fairly average temperatures and rainfall, 2015 is on track to be the sunniest. With just one day left to go of the meteorological winter the UK has already seen more than 189 hours of sunshine. But in Scotland the winter has also been one of the top 10 wettest in records dating back to 1910.