... Shay has been given the green light to resume training next week after visiting a knee specialist in London.
The 36-year-old flew back to Dublin on Thursday afternoon after a whistle-stop trip to England to consult a doctor who has treated him in the past.
A spokesman for the Football Association of Ireland said: "Shay Given is on his way back from visiting his specialist in London.
"The specialist has been in contact with the Irish medical team and agrees with their diagnosis and recovery management plan.
"Shay is expected to return to full training on Wednesday."
Asked this week about his time at Sunderland and his amazing record of keeping 12 clean sheets in 17 games for the Mackems in their promotion season, he made it known: "I became a Geordie - I was never a Mackem".
Shay Given: "Oh I get abuse from Sunderland fans all the time. Even when I played in Niall Quinn's testimonial for the Irish XI.
"I was 19 when I went there on loan and I got a medal for winning the division.
"Peter Reid gave me the chance to sign for Sunderland, but I've no regrets at all.
"But having a huge affiliation with Newcastle, I can understand the abuse.
"As a goalkeeper you have to accept stick from supporters at away games, and I certainly get it visiting the Stadium Of Light".
Source: FOOTYMAD
