Newcastle United FC

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Magpies hopeful over Given

14 Feb 2008 - 11:27:06

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Newcastle United have received some positive injury news with goalkeeper Shay Given set to face Manchester United next weekend.

The Republic of Ireland international was expected to spend a spell on the sidelines after picking up a groin injury in last weekend's defeat at Aston Villa.

Given was replaced in the early stages of the second half of the 4-1 defeat amid fears he had suffered a recurrence of a ruptured bowel problem which first surfaced 12 months ago.

However, scans revealed only a minor groin problem and the experienced keeper is hopeful of facing United at St James' Park on Saturday week.

"The groin's not too bad and hopefully I'll be okay for Man United," he told the club's official website.

Magpies boss Kevin Keegan added: "We will have to assess the situation again next week but Shay's injury does not look as though it is a bad one.

"It was an unfortunate one because he did it trying to change direction when Villa scored and he had to come off.

"We were obviously concerned at first because he was in too much pain to continue, but we are hopeful he will be fit again by the time we play Manchester United next week."