Chris Hughton says Shay's not a Given to return to Newcastle

20 September 2010 15:58
Newcastle boss Chris Hughton has dismissed speculation that keeper Shay Given could make an emotional return to St James' Park as cover for the injured Steve Harper.[LNB]Republic of Ireland international Given, 34, has lost his Manchester City place to Joe Hart this season and is desperate for regular football.[LNB]However, despite seeing 35-year-old Harper, the man who for so long acted as back-up to the Irishman during his 11-and-a-half-year stay on Tyneside, suffer a nasty shoulder injury at Everton on Saturday, Hughton will not be contacting City counterpart Roberto Mancini.[LNB] Given another go? Hughton has dismissed talk of a move for their former goalkeeper [LNB]Asked about the speculation, he said: 'I can understand that one and it is a very emotional one as well, but no, I can categorically say that won't be happening.'[LNB]Newcastle's position on Given is perhaps equally understandable with the keeper having finally lost patience with life at St James' in the wake of a humiliating 5-1 home defeat by Liverpool in December 2008.[LNB]He made it clear he wanted to play his football elsewhere and eventually got his wish when City pushed through an £8million swoop for him at the end of the following month.[LNB]Sidelined: Given has dropped down the pecking order for the No 1 jersey at City[LNB]Having waited so long for his chance, Harper and his team-mates suffered the misery of relegation at the end of that season, but he proved a more than capable replacement as they regained their top-flight status at the first attempt.[LNB]However, his luck changed for the worse on Saturday when he landed awkwardly after an untidy challenge by striker Jermaine Beckford and damaged a ligament in his shoulder.[LNB]The full extent of the injury is still being assessed, but Hughton admitted Harper could face a lengthy spell on the sidelines.[LNB]He said: 'The important thing for us is to asses where Steve Harper is at this particular moment.[LNB]'What we do know is it is a ligament injury to his shoulder. That will be assessed over the next couple of days.[LNB]'It is probably a little bit unfair to state how long he will be out for because at this moment, we don't know. But it will be for a period of time.[LNB]'t's a massive disappointment for him. He is a player who I felt was the best goalkeeper in the Championship last season.[LNB]'He has worked very, very hard to get to the level he has and has started the season very well for us.[LNB]'Any significant injury that is going to keep a player out for a period of time is a big blow, particularly when it is the person who is between the posts.'[LNB]Dutchman Tim Krul took over from Harper at Goodison Park and is likely to retain his place for Wednesday night's Carling Cup third-round trip to Chelsea.[LNB] Crocked: Newcastle's Steve Harper is out for a month after picking a shoulder injury during the clash with Everton [LNB]However, with Fraser Forster currently on a season-long loan deal at Celtic with no prospect of any recall until January at the earliest, 20-year-old Swede Ole Soderberg is next in line.[LNB]Hughton said: 'Tim Krul has come in before and adapted very, very well. He is a young keeper of high ability and I certainly have no worries about him and him performing.[LNB]'But we will have to assess it once we are made aware of the extent of Steve's injury.[LNB]'Tim is in the squad for the Chelsea game and I have absolutely no worries in putting him in.'[LNB]Meanwhile, England defender Sol Campbell could make his debut for the club at Stamford Bridge as Hughton uses the depth of his squad.[LNB]The 36-year-old has three appearances for the reserves under his belt, but is yet to make it on to the pitch for the senior side.[LNB]Striker Leon Best will also be in the squad after recovering from an ankle injury.[LNB] Newcastle keeper Krul out to rule the roost in absence of injured HarperGiven back on the Toon? Newcastle want to re-sign Shay in shock loan dealEverton defend 'combative' Marouane Fellaini after use of elbow on James PerchNEWCASTLE UNITED FC

Source: Daily_Mail