The Villa chief was impressed with his £3.5million summer acquisition from Manchester City on his competitive debut as he produced several brilliant saves to ensure his side secured a share of the spoils in the goalless draw.However, McLeish confirmed that Given had suffered a slight groin strain during the match which resulted in defender James Collins taking the goal kicks. But, he now expects the Republic of Ireland international to be ready to make his home bow at Villa Park this weekend."He's on the mend," confirmed McLeish on the club's website. "He should be OK for the weekend."His reading of the game is terrific.
He's still got the reaction times that sometimes a goalkeeper needs in that split second when he's making a save. It's all about reactions."You see some goalkeepers trying to read it and diving the same way and things like that but Shay was absolutely spot on at the weekend."The Scot added: "It was totally precautionary to let James take the goal kicks."We're just going to let his groin settle down and he'll be training Thursday."Shay knows his own body at the age of 35 and if he doesn't know it now then he'll never know it. That's the measure of his experience."
Source: DSG
