REPUBLIC of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given will make. his debut for Newcastle against newly-crowned Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven in a four-team tournament at Lansdowne Road on July 15th.
The 21-year-old Given signed for Newcastle a fortnight ago, with the fee yet to be decided, after three years of frustration as understudy to England's Tim Flowers at Blackburn.
The Donegal youngster will make his debut for Kenny Dalglish's side in the Football Association of Ireland competition, which also features National League champions Derry City and Celtic and is being screened world-wide by Sky TV.
"Kenny Dalglish has promised me a first team place at Newcastle. Now it is entirely up to myself to prove that I can justify his faith in my ability," said Given.
"It was Mr Dalglish who persuaded me to join Blackburn from Celtic in 1994. Those were three hard years although I really enjoyed loan spells at both Swindon and Sunderland."
Now Given, who will play in the European Cup with his new club next season, is determined to win back a regular place in the Republic squad as they bid to reach the World Cup finals in France next summer.
"From being a substitute at Ewood Park to the prospect of playing in the Champions' League and possibly the World Cup finals next summer is very exciting," he added.
Given hopes to use the two-day tournament, with 40,000 sell-outs on each night, to show Ireland boss Mick McCarthy he is worth recall for the vital qualifying tie against Lithuania on August 20th.
