Given shoulder surgery a success, declare City

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND goalkeeper Shay Given had successful surgery in London on Wednesday night, Manchester City reported yesterday afternoon.

But, contrary to earlier reports, the operation was to repair an injury to his right shoulder and not the left which previously needed surgery.

Bizarrely, that left City boss Roberto Mancini with egg on his face after he’d said at the weekend that Given had “a problem with same shoulder he injured at Arsenal last season”.

“Shay Given underwent surgery on his injured right shoulder in London on Wednesday night, and early indications are that the operation went well,” City’s official website reported.

“Given picked up the injury during the warm-up for the Europa League tie against Aris in Thessaloniki last Tuesday. At first he felt a minor twinge, and recovered to take his place on the bench. But as the pain in his shoulder increased through the week, it became clear he would need to see a specialist, and following a consultation this week, he was advised that surgery was needed.

“It is a big blow to the Irishman, who missed the final stages of last season with a different injury to his left shoulder picked up in the 0-0 draw at Arsenal in April.

“But surgery on the City keeper went well and he will now start the road to recovery at Carrington.”

A City spokesman added: “Shay has had his operation, and the surgeon said he felt things went very well. It is important to stress that he injured a different shoulder last season, and that he doesn’t have a history of injury prior to last season."