Westwood: Shay will be okay

THE goalkeeper expected to fill Shay Given’s shoes against Paraguay and Algeria says we can rest assured Given will be back for the important Euro qualifiers in September and he expects to see him on the training field at the beginning of August.

“I texted Shay last Sunday to see how he was and wish him a speedy recover – sooner rather than later,” said Coventry City keeper, Keiron Westwood.

“I think he will be back in three months. He should be back for the start of the season and get some pre-season in.

“Shay’s had a good season. I watch a lot of his games, to get better you have to watch the best I have learnt a lot of stuff off Shay – he’s a great person to work with.”

Westwood has earned three Ireland caps and will be joined in Malahide by Joe Murphy, who has been called up over a number of years but has just one cap to date that he was awarded in 2003. Uncapped Ipswich and former Bohemians goalkeeper Brian Murphy is also in the squad.

Westwood is Given’s likely replacement but he’s not taking anything for granted.

“I’ll just have to see what Trapattoni says,” the 25-year-old insisted. “The other two goalkeepers have plenty of experience. Trapattoni mentioned me in an interview, which was nice.”

The former Manchester City trainee spent this week unpacking boxes at his new home, and with a new baby on the way at the start of next season, he is not keen on moving on.

City manager Chris Coleman contacted the chairman a few weeks ago regarding a new contract to replace the existing one that has just a year to run. Unfortunately the chairman has not come back to Westwood and his future at Coventry, who have sold their stars the last couple of seasons, remains in the balance.

“I don’t know, hopefully it will be sorted sooner rather than later,” said Westwood. “I love playing here and I now have different priorities.”