Given gives Irish major boost

The Republic of Ireland received a huge boost ahead of Sunday's clash with Croatia when their number one goalkeeper Shay Given trained throughout Friday's session.

The 36-year-old - Ireland's most capped player of all time with 122 - had given cause for concern when he suffered a knee injury last month and failed to play the whole of Monday's friendly with Hungary.

However, Given - who like Robbie Keane and Damien Duff were stars of the Irish previous finals appearance the 2002 World Cup - was able to play in goal for the training game on Friday.