Trap denied me

Shay Given admits Giovanni Trapattoni denied him a chance to return to the Republic of Ireland fold because he was not getting games.

The Donegal man retired from international football with 125 caps but declared an interest in a return soon after.

“I did have a conversation with Giovanni Trapattoni about playing again,” he said on Saturday after Roy Keane was spotted at Middlesbrough’s 1-0 victory over Charlton which stretched their unbeaten run in the Championship to six games.

“He said because I was not playing for Villa, which was a valid argument, then he was looking in a different direction, which was fair enough. The next competitive game is in September, it’s only January. A week in football is a long time so nine months is a lifetime. I’ve not spoken to Martin O’Neill, my number is not hard to get.

“It’s too early to say at the minute what I feel about it. They will be looking for their options in March because Keiren Westwood is injured. But as I said, September is a long time away. I could be back as third choice at Aston Villa by then. I don’t know. It’s too soon to even comment.”

[O’Neill] has contacted me.”