Westwood ‘can be the new Given’

John O’Shea has backed Sunderland team-mate Keiren Westwood to emerge as a worthy successor to Shay Given as Republic of Ireland goalkeeper when the veteran Aston Villa man calls time on his international career.

The Black Cats defender also believes that should anything untoward happen to Given during Euro 2012 Ireland will be in safe hands.

Given’s sustained excellence means the former Coventry net-minder has played just one competitive game for his country — against Macedonia in a Euro 2012 qualifier in March last year, performing well in Ireland’s 2-1 win.