Soccer:Shay Given's hopes of a first appearance of the season for Manchester City appear to have been dashed with manager Roberto Mancini opting to keep faith with his number one choice Joe Hart.
Given had expected to be afforded opportunities to prove his worth to the Italian in the Europa League and was tipped to start against Red Bull Salzburg on Thursday, even before Hart’s high-profile error at the weekend.
The Republic of Ireland international, who decided to stay and fight for his place at Eastlands, was reportedly given assurances by Mancini that he would play during City’s Carling Cup and European campaigns.
But Mancini has indicated that he will stick with Hart, who was at fault for Blackburn’s goal at the weekend, in Austria leaving Given to look on once more from the sidelines.
“This hasn’t shaken my belief in him. Joe’s a good keeper, like Shay.” Mancini insisted. “This situation can happen for a goalkeeper during the season. It doesn’t change my opinion of playing Joe on Thursday.”