Given has medical at City

Shay Given was today undergoing a medical at Manchester City as he closed in on a move away from Newcastle.

It is understood that the 32-year-old Republic of Ireland international was in the north-west after the two clubs agreed an undisclosed fee.

Magpies boss Joe Kinnear revealed on Friday that the Tyneside club had given City permission to speak to Given after weeks of speculation.

It is understood personal terms have already been agreed and the deal is now close to going through ahead of tomorrow evening's transfer deadline.

Newcastle tacitly accepted the Irishman's impending departure last week when they secured deputy Steve Harper on a new three-year contract.

However, the news that he is having a medical will have come as a blow to those fans who hoped he might not leave St James' before the deadline as they arrived for this afternoon's derby clash with Sunderland.

Given has spent more than 11 years on Tyneside since his arrival from Blackburn and his loyalty has never been in question.

However, comments released by his solicitor Michael Kennedy as the transfer window opened indicated he had lost patience with the ongoing turmoil on and off the pitch and signalled his intention to secure a move away.

City's interest has been clear in recent weeks as they embark upon a massive spending spree, and it remains to be seen whether Newcastle boss Joe Kinnear can invest the proceeds - if indeed, he gets the cash - in an attempt to drag the club out of relegation trouble.

Midfielder Kevin Nolan arrived in a £4m switch from Bolton on Friday, but Michael Owen and Joey Barton have joined the long-term casualty list once again, ironically, after Wednesday night's 2-1 defeat at City.

Charles N'Zogbia too could be on his way as the Magpies and Wigan thrash out a player swap-plus-cash deal with Wigan with Ryan Taylor moving in the opposite direction.