Given to miss the big kick-off

NEWCASTLE manager Sam Allardyce has suffered another injury blow ahead of the new season after goalkeeper Shay Given was ruled out with a groin problem.

The 31-year-old limped out of the weekend’s friendly clash with Sampdoria and has been sent for further assessment after being dogged by similar problems for much of last term.

“He has gone to see a specialist in London because we want to make sure just how much damage has been done,” Allardyce said. He has been for a scan and it doesn’t look serious, it’s just a slight strain. At the moment we only expect him to be out for a couple of weeks, but we won’t take any risks.”