Source: Telegraph
Newcastle and Man City meet to finalise Shay Given move
Wise and Cook will hold a meeting ahead of their clubs' Premier League clash on Wednesday night at Eastlands in a bid to sort out Given's prospective £10-million move to City this week.[LNB]And it would seem that Wise will make one last attempt to try to persuade Cook to release promising England Under-21 midfielder Michael Johnson before he sanctions the move for Given.[LNB]Newcastle are also understood to be interested in his international colleague, the defender Nedum Onuoha, who has also come through the ranks at City, but Johnson is their priority. City's reluctance to lose his services has hampered the move for Given.[LNB]It is hoped a deal will be struck before the end of this week, ending Given's 11-year association with the North-East. His understudy, Steve Harper, has been told that he will play against City, so Given has probably played his last game in Newcastle colours.[LNB]Another fascinating sub-plot to the match is that Joey Barton is also set to return to his old club for the first time since his £5.8-million transfer to Newcastle.[LNB]"Having Joey back is a big bonus," said Newcastle manager Joe Kinnear. "He has a great desire to win and is a box-to-box midfielder who will give his all. He could be a very important player for us between now and the end of the season."[LNB]Right-back Albin Ebondo set to arrive on loan from Toulouse with a view to a permanent move and Kinnear is still keen on Rennes' midfielder Stephane Mbia. He hopes to use the proceeds of the Given sale on the Cameroon international who he has described as "the nearest thing to Patrick Vieira" but the club will have to double its bid after a £5 million offer was rejected a fortnight ago.[LNB]With Given inching towards the exit door, Harper – like midfielder Nicky Butt - is ready to commit himself to the club after years in the shadows.[LNB]"Nicky Butt and Steve Harper are both close to signing new contracts. I think they're virtually done," Kinnear said. "That's a step in the right direction and I'm delighted they are going to sign because they are two of our most experienced players.[LNB]"If we can get the players we're close to getting in the transfer market, the squad will have that little bit more depth to it, which will be a big boost over the next few months," Kinnear added.[LNB]The relegation-threatened side will be buoyed by a weekend off, thanks to their elimination from the FA Cup this month.[LNB]"I never wanted to be out of the FA Cup because it's been a very long time since we won anything as a football club, but it has given us some respite," Kinnear said. [LNB]"I never thought I'd say that as a manager, but it has. We've been able to give the players a bit of a rest and some of the injured ones are close to coming back, which is good news. I've never known an injury situation like the one we've had to contend with, and it has been incredibly frustrating for everyone at the club. But this is a challenge and I've never shirked one of those in my life and I still believe we will get out of trouble." [LNB]
