Given itching to return

Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given will exorcise his frustrations on Wednesday after an agonising eight weeks on the sidelines.

Given returns as Ireland’s number one for the European Championship qualifier against Group D minnows San Marino at Lansdowne Road.

Although yet to figure for Newcastle United since recovering from surgery to repair a perforated bowel, Given has been cleared by Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder to embark on his comeback.

It is to the 30-year-old’s delight, particularly after he was not risked on Saturday for the goalless Barclays Premiership draw at Manchester City.

“As a footballer you don’t want to miss any game, and I would have loved to have played Saturday,” said Given.

“But the medical team and the gaffer felt that, after only resuming training last week, another few days would help me to get into the swing of things better.

“I’m now looking forward to the game because I’ve been a long time out.

“I’ve not had too many injuries in my career – touch wood I don’t have too many more – and now I’m desperate to get out on the pitch again.

“It’s been very frustrating in the gym watching the lads training. I’ve been desperate to get out there and get the gloves back on.

“There’s still a little bit of soreness. The Newcastle doctor has said that will probably be the case for a while, but it’s nothing that will stop me playing.”

Manager Steve Staunton has played down any suggestion of a fall out with Roeder regarding Given's involvement.

“I don’t know where the stories have come from. I’ve spoken to Glenn and there’s no problem,” insisted Staunton.

“Obviously, Newcastle are concerned bearing in mind their position in the league, and I can understand that.

“But, as Glenn and myself know, this is a wonderful game for Shay to return, and in front of a full house.

“I’m hoping he won’t be too busy. It will be more of a case of him concentrating for 90 minutes, and then he’ll go into the Newcastle squad for their game with Arsenal at the weekend.

“But he needs a game and, given a choice between an international match and a reserve-team match, I know in which I would want my keeper to play.

“With his presence alone, Shay is a player we want around the camp.”

While Staunton would ideally love Given to enjoy a quiet game, the player himself knows he cannot expect one.

However, in San Marino’s 18-man squad, just three have found the net, with six of the eight goals between them from captain Andy Selva.

Despite that, Given said: “You have to prepare the same as if you are going to face the Czech Republic or Germany.

“You have to do the right stuff, and mentally you have to prepare to hopefully get the right result.”

After losing 14 players for the 1-1 draw with the Czechs a month ago, Staunton has few worries ahead of this latest game.

Lee Carsley and Jonathan Douglas will train on Tuesday after sitting out the Monday session with minor niggles.

Robbie Keane, Kevin Doyle and Steve Finnan are also fit after arriving on Monday morning from club duty on Sunday, leaving a happy Staunton to express: “We’ve no problems for a change.”