Given sweats on extended Boro deal

Shay Given has just one week to secure his future at Middlesbrough.

Having recently been watched by Ireland assistant manager Roy Keane, the veteran goalkeeper could be in line for an international recall for the March friendly against Serbia but, more urgently, Given is anxious to extend his loan spell at Boro until the end of the season.

Given’s loan move expires on February 28 and a deal to keep him at the Championship side needs to be done by the close of the transfer window next Friday.

“I’ve been delighted to come here and play after 10 months of not being involved,” said Given.

“I’m really enjoying playing here and being part of the group. Will I stay? Well, at the minute, I don’t know. They could send me off packing!

“The deal has to be done by the end of January if I’m to stay for the rest of the season. That’s something that will have to be talked about in the next week.”

In other Irish news, Norwich manager Chris Hughton has welcomed Anthony Pilkington’s return from injury, after the winger made an appearance as a substitute in last weekend’s win over Hull City.

“It has been frustrating for him because he’s a good player and when fully fit and firing, he’s a real asset,” said Hughton of a player whose international ambitions with Ireland have also been thwarted by injury.

“Unfortunately injuries are part of the game and something he has to deal with, but it’s good to see him back.”

While Hughton has been linked with a move for Stoke City’s Glenn Whelan, the Canaries’ decision to refuse a transfer request for fellow Irish midfielder Wes Hoolahan has prompted the former Shels man to go public with his frustration.

“I’ve been at Norwich for five and a half years and I have the utmost respect for the fans and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the club,” said the 31-year-old, “but I feel my time here has run its course and I need a new challenge. At my age, I need to be playing regular first team football and that is not happening at Norwich.”

Hoolahan also made it clear that he would be happy to reunite with his former Canaries boss Paul Lambert at Aston Villa. “I haven’t spoken to anyone at Villa,” he stressed, “but, of course, a move to play for Paul Lambert again would appeal to me.”

Meanwhile, Everton boss Roberto Martinez has reiterated his determination to reward Irish full back Seamus Coleman with a better contract.

“We have got a few issues and a few players that we want to sit down with,” said Martinez. “It will happen after the transfer window. Seamus Coleman and Ross Barkley have been performing really, really well. When players perform well, when they deserve it, as a club we are quite active in trying to be on top of those aspects.” Coleman misses tomorrow’s FA Cup game against Stevenage due to the hamstring problem but he could be fit for Tuesday’s derby against Liverpool.