Shunted down to second choice due to Joe Hart's impressive form, the former Newcastle man is keen to leave City and reignite his career. Yet Mancini has warned Given it is not certain such a move will be granted.
"It is not a simple position," he said. "You can change the other players every game but the goalkeeper is different. That is the only reason why Shay has not played so often because he is a fantastic goalkeeper."
The City boss still remembers how he ended up needing to sign Marton Fulop as an emergency at the end of last season when Given was injured and an attempt to get Hart out of his loan spell at Birmingham failed.
With the stakes even higher this time around, Mancini is not willing to risk leaving himself so badly exposed again. Yet the Italian has not exactly made life easier for Given by opting not to select him when certain opportunities have arisen.
He sat out both legs of the qualifier, and the opening three Europa League games for instance, and also last week's FA Cup clash at Leicester. It could be argued that Mancini made that call to stop Given becoming cup-tied. But as the 33-year-old is expected to be recalled for the replay against Sven-Goran Eriksson's Championship outfit, that defence does not stack up.
Instead, Mancini puts it down to the unique nature of the goalkeeping position, which leaves Given in the uncomfortable position of not knowing whether he will remain at Eastlands for the remainder of the season, and uncertain as to whether his services would be required anyway should he help City reach their first major final since 1981.
Not that he is on his own. Veteran midfielder Patrick Vieira is in a very similar situation, having started just two Premier League games all season but eight in cup competitions. And he is one of a number of fringe players Mancini is preparing to introduce as City look to confirm a fourth-round trip to Notts County.
"Patrick Vieira is an important member of our squad," said Mancini. "He is a good player, who has lots of experience.
"He will probably play, along with Jerome Boateng, James Milner, David Silva, Jo and Joleon Lescott. We have other players that we can win this game."
With Mario Balotelli injured and Edin Dzeko ineligible, Mancini may be forced to rely on skipper Carlos Tevez, whose two goals against Wolves at the weekend moved him level with Dimitar Berbatov at the top of the Premier League scoring charts.
Ayegbeni Yakubu is ineligible for Leicester. The loan signing from Everton, who marked his debut with a goal at Preston on Saturday, was not with the Foxes for the initial tie eight days ago and therefore cannot feature at Eastlands.
With Darius Vassell carrying a knock, Steve Howard could lead Leicester`s attack against the joint-leaders of the Premier League. Vassell`s possible absence aside, Sven-Goran Eriksson could name the same side that drew 2-2 with big-spending City at the Walkers Stadium.
Eriksson will be making his first return to Eastlands since he was sacked as manager of Manchester City in the summer of 2008. With Notts County awaiting the winner in round four, the Swede will be looking to set up another return to a former club. Eriksson was director of football at Notts last season.
Source: DSG
