Last man still standing

SHAY GIVEN, who was at the centre of an injury scare yesterday, is expected to be fit to play against Switzerland tomorrow night.

"Shay had an x-ray and scan on his injured foot," said manger Brian Kerr. "This revealed no bone damage but there is some soft tissue swelling. We're confident that he will be fit to play."

The dubious wisdom of goalkeepers venturing outside their box seemed to have been starkly illustrated at training in Malahide when, during a five-a-side, Given took a knock to his foot in a challenge with Gary Doherty. The goalkeeper received treatment on the spot, and there were fears that the "friendly fire" incident might prove serious enough to rule him out.