Newcastle United Football Club News

• Nickname:Magpies
• Founded:1881
• Manager:Alan Pardew

• Ground:St James' Park
• Capacity:52,193

Given ahead of schedule

22 Feb 2007 - 08:00:56

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Newcastle United goalkeeper Shay Given could return to first-team action earlier than originally anticipated after making a rapid recovery from his groin injury.

The Republic of Ireland international has not played since suffering the problem in the 2-2 draw against West Ham United on January 20.

The 30-year-old will not be fit enough to play in the UEFA Cup clash with SV Zulte Waregem but could feature in Sunday's Premiership encounter at Wigan Athletic.

"Shay is progressing very well," United boss Glenn Roeder told the club's official website.

"He's out working with the goalkeeping coaches every morning and he's just started to join in the small-sided games we have at the end of training.

"He's looking good. As always with Shay, he seems to be running ahead of schedule in terms of his recovery, but we're very pleased with him.

"The good thing is that we can be absolutely certain Shay is 100 per cent before he goes back in because we have another wonderful keeper in Steve Harper."

Injuries have restricted Given to only 15 Premiership appearances so far this term.