Given eyes return at start of season

MANCHESTER CITY goalkeeper Shay Given is confident of being fit for the start of the new season after a check-up revealed his recovery from shoulder surgery is ahead of schedule.

The Ireland star dislocated his left shoulder and also suffered tendon and ligament damage when saving Abou Diaby’s shot during the goalless draw at Arsenal in late April.

The setback saw City bring in Sunderland’s Marton Fulop as cover on an emergency loan basis, but 34-year-old Given expects to be ready to reclaim his place in August after a summer of conditioning work.