Given misses Fulham match to attend birth

Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given missed his first league game since January 2001 against Fulham this afternoon to attend the birth of his first child.

The Republic of Ireland international was at his wife Jane’s bedside as Steve Harper took over between the posts after a wait of 140 consecutive Barclays Premiership games.

Nicky Butt returned after completing his European ban in midweek as Laurent Robert had to make do with a seat on the bench.

Fulham boss Chris Coleman fielded the same 11 which started the 2-0 win over Tottenham last time out, handing Andy Cole a chance to damage the aspirations of his former club and their manager Graeme Souness, who sold him to the Londoners from Blackburn during the summer.

Newcastle: Harper, Hughes, Elliott, O’Brien, Bernard, Bellamy, Butt, Bowyer, Jenas, Shearer, Kluivert.

Subs: Bramble, Ameobi, Johnsen, Robert, Caig.

Fulham: Crossley, Volz, Knight, Rehman, Bocanegra, Malbranque, Diop, Pembridge, Boa Morte, Cole, John.

Subs: Legwinski, McBride, Radzinski, Rosenior, Van der Sar.

Referee: H Webb (S Yorkshire)