Newcastle United Football Club News

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

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

Kinnear adamant over Given

02 Jan 2009 - 15:06:44

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Newcastle United boss Joe Kinnear claims Shay Given will be staying at St James' Park despite the goalkeeper suggesting he wants to quit the Magpies.

The Republic of Ireland international's lawyer, Michael Kennedy, released a statement in which it was claimed that Given wanted to leave the Tyneside club after 11 years.

The 32-year-old cited the combination of disappointing performances - and in particular last weekend's 5-1 thrashing by Liverpool - and off-pitch unrest over the ownership of the club as the reasons for his unhappiness.

However, a determined Kinnear insists the long-serving keeper will not be sold during the transfer window.

He said: "I'm not sure of the facts that he (Kennedy) has said or how it's been interpreted, but what I will say is Shay is contracted until 2011.

"He is our player and he is going to stay our player, it's as simple as that. We are not interested at all (in selling him). I want to clear that.

"He is an integral part of the team, he is the best goalkeeper by miles in the league, so why should we jeopardise our chances in the position we are in?

"It wouldn't make sense, so as far as I am concerned he is going to stay our player."