Given back in time for Macedonia qualifier

SHAY GIVEN will be fit to play for the Republic of Ireland in June’s European Championship qualifier in Macedonia — but Paddy Kenny has yet to make himself available to Giovanni Trapattoni.

Irish goalkeeping coach Alan Kelly confirmed in Dublin yesterday that Manchester City back up keeper Given will be fit in time for the club’s first FA Cup final since 1981.

The Donegal man missed the March win over Macedonia after undergoing surgery on another shoulder injury in February but is back in full training with his club.

Kelly, now a vital member of Trapattoni’s backroom team, also revealed that Kenny, on the verge of promotion to the Premier League with QPR, asked not to be considered for an international return at the start of the season.

The Loftus Road keeper, last capped almost five years ago in the calamitous 5-2 defeat away to Cyprus in the Steve Staunton era, has yet to inform Kelly or Trapattoni that he wants to play international football again despite his outstanding form at club level. As a result, Coventry’s out-of-contract star Keiren Westwood will act as understudy to Given for the Carling Nations Cup games at the end of May, with Joe Murphy, Darren Randolph and David Forde in contention for the third goalkeeping spot. Trapattoni will name his squad for the end-of-season games at an Athlone press conference next Wednesday and Given looks set to be included.

“Shay sent a message this week to tell us that he is back in full training and doing very well,” said Kelly at the annual Dublin Docklands Coaching for Kids festival.

“He is fighting fit once again and looking forward to getting back on the field with City and with Ireland.

“He is pushing the envelope and I will be very surprised if he’s not on the bench for City for the FA Cup final against Stoke and back forIreland in the games at the end of next month.”

Kenny’s future at international level is less certain after Kelly revealed just why the 32-year-old was left out of the squad for the Macedonia game in March.

“I had conversations with Paddy at the start of the season when he said he didn’t want to be considered for a return to the Ireland squad so you’ll have to ask him,” added Kelly.

“It’s not a case of us saying anyone is ruled out or in but if someone has effectively ruled themselves out? As far as I am aware he is still unavailable.”