Roeder: ‘Lazarus’ Given could play until he’s 40

SHAY GIVEN is very much alive and kicking — and Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder predicts the Republic of Ireland goalkeeper can play until he is 40.

Roeder revealed after the Magpies’ enthralling 2-2 New Year’s Day home draw with Manchester United that Given — nicknamed Lazarus due to his powers of recovery — is almost fully fit after a groin problem.

Given amazed medical staff at Newcastle this season with his quick-fire comeback from emergency surgery for the perforated bowel he suffered in a collision with West Ham striker Marlon Harewood in September.

He was playing again two months later, and Roeder said: “As everyone knows at this club, Shay’s nickname is Lazarus and he’s living up to that at the moment. Long may it continue.

“He is 99.9% fit — as close as you can be to 100%. We’re just being a little bit protective of him with his groin.

“But the key is he came through Saturday’s game at Everton and there was no reaction. In fact, on Sunday he felt slightly better than he did going into that game.

“And a clue that he is now okay was that he did all his own kicking against United, whereas at Everton we had Peter Ramage kicking for him — until we lost Peter to a hamstring injury!”

Czech Pavel Srnicek, 38, had to stand in for Given and injured deputy Steve Harper at Bolton on St Stephen’s Day. And Roeder insists Given and Harper can enjoy similar longevity between the sticks. “Shay and Steve, in my opinion, are in their prime now,” said Roeder.

“David Seaman played until he was 40 and don’t put that past Shay, because he so loves playing football.

“I think we’ve got two keepers whose best is still to come. Shay is 30 and Steve is 31 and it’s not impossible to imagine them playing at 40. They are both naturally very fit and goalkeepers do continue playing longer than most.

“Don’t forget that Dino Zoff was Italy’s goalkeeper and captain at the age of 40 when they won the World Cup in 1982.”