Source: Team_Talk
Hughton dismisses 'wild' Given link
ewcastle boss Chris Hughton has ruled out a return to St James' Park for Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given.[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]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]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]"It'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]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."
