Don’t rule out Given, says Harper

NEWCASTLE goalkeeper Shay Given has been labelled “Lazarus” by his rival Steve Harper.

Republic of Ireland international Given is a major doubt for the Magpies' UEFA Cup quarter-final second leg with Sporting Lisbon at the Jose Alvalade Stadium tonight.

That also places a question mark over his availability for Sunday's FA Cup semi-final with Manchester United at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

Given suffered a recurrence of a hip injury in the first leg against Sporting a week ago, when he was forced off at half-time in Newcastle's 1-0 victory.

Stand-in Harper is likely to keep his place against Sporting as he looks to banish the memory of last Sunday's mistake at Tottenham, where his clearance set up Jermain Defoe for the only goal.

But having been a frustrated onlooker while Given has been Newcastle's undisputed No 1 for the past five seasons, Harper is taking nothing for granted.

"You never know with Shay we don't nickname him Lazarus for nothing," said Harper.

"I know what Shay is like. He's recovered from all sorts of things before and he could even grow a new hip by Thursday night.

"Shay has been fantastic and he's had such a long run in the side. I had a nice call from him the other day after the Tottenham game but I haven't asked him how he is.

"I want to play every week but, when you have Shay in front of you, it's very difficult. He's a top quality keeper."

Given has been linked with the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United, and Harper added: "There's a lot of speculation about Shay. He doesn't know anything about it, but strange things happen in football and you never know what's going to happen at the end of the season."

Newcastle boss Graeme Souness admitted yesterday that the next four days hold the key to the club's season.

Speaking as he prepared to put his side through their paces ahead of tonight's UEFA clash, Souness had little doubt about what is at stake both in Portugal and in Sunday's FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United.

"It is going to be an enormous four days," Souness said.

"Just after 10pm tomorrow night, we could be sitting in the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup feeling extremely confident about Sunday or it could be a case of picking ourselves up.

"We will have to wait and see what 10pm tomorrow night brings, but we can only deal with one game at a time and the first game is a difficult game here in Lisbon, and that is all we can focus on."

The Scot was giving nothing away as he was quizzed about his team, saying only when asked if there was an update: "We have, but I am not telling you."

Titus Bramble, returning after a four-week lay-off after surgery on a hernia, and Kieron Dyer, who has been battling against a hamstring problem, both trained last night.

Patrick Kluivert, who has missed the last three games with a knee problem, was also involved, while full-back Celestine Babayaro trained away from the main group.