Surgery is put on long finger

Republic of Ireland goakeeper Shay Given has postponed an operation to have a pin inserted in his hand to ensure he is available for Ireland's vital European Championship qualifiers against Albania and Georgia in early June.

The 27-year-old from Lifford has had a dislocated little finger since March and club doctors at Newcastle have advised him surgery would be the best way to sort out the problem which can result in considerable pain during games.

But the Irishman has also been told the operation would involve a two-month lay-off and with Ireland's chances of qualifying for next year's European Championship finals in Portugal hanging in the balance and his club's place in next season's Champions League still far from assured, the Newcastle United player has opted to defer the treatment, at least until after the Premiership season and the two Lansdowne Road matches are out of the way.

"We have talked about a number of options at the club," said Given, "and one is to put a pin in but I am getting by at the moment and so I will keep going and hopefully get away with it.

"It is not at the stage yet where I can't play or train, but if it does pop out again it could be a problem."

Given picked up the injury while preparing for a Champions League game against Inter Milan.Helping to ensure that Newcastle secure a place in the competition again next season remains a massive priority for the goalkeeper.

"We have played against the top teams and the best players in Europe and we've all enjoyed it and learned from the experiences as well," he says. "As a goalkeeper I want to be playing in the Champions League every week next season, not sitting watching it at home again."

Meanwhile, Given's international team-mate, goalkeeper Nick Colgan, looks set to leave Hibernian after being told he can look for another club.