Toon owner Ashley in desperate bid to keep wantaway Given at Newcastle

27 January 2009 17:44
Leaving Toon? Given could leave St James' Park, with Manchester City the likely destination   More... Newcastle boss Joe Kinnear close to capture of Toulouse defender Ebondo Bellamy and De Jong to face Magpies Banned Butt missing for Magpies MANCHESTER CITY FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB NEWCASTLE UNITED FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB Ashley's presence may come eight months too late for Given who is among many senior players who have been looking for guidance from the hierarchy, and Ashley in particular, since Kevin Keegan was sacked. Manchester City have made two offers for Given and have so far reached£8 million, but Newcastle are looking for around double that figure, or a compromise deal which would involve Michael Johnson or Nedum Onuoha. So far City are refusing to include either home-grown player in a deal. No show: Ashley hasn't been to a Newcastle match at St James' Park since August Kinnear must decide whether to play Given at Manchester City tomorrow, with his understudy Steve Harper on stand-by after signing a new three-year contract to finish his career at Newcastle. The Newcastle boss, who is still trying to land Toulouse defender Albin Ebondo, has also held further talks with Ashley in a bid to release extra funds ahead of the Tyne-Wear derby on Sunday. It remains to be seen whether Ashley, who has not been seen at a Newcastle game since August, will be brave enough to make his return to St James' for one of the most critical derbies since the 1990 play-off semi-final between the two rivals.   More... Newcastle boss Joe Kinnear close to capture of Toulouse defender Ebondo Bellamy and De Jong to face Magpies Banned Butt missing for Magpies MANCHESTER CITY FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB NEWCASTLE UNITED FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB  

Source: Daily_Mail