Given willing to drop a division

SHAY GIVEN’S frustrating season at Manchester City is not getting any easier for the 34-year-old Republic of Ireland goalkeeper.

Given is wanted on loan by two Championship clubs and such is his desperation to taste first-team football, the hugely-experienced Premier League player is prepared to drop a division if an agreement can be reached that he could return to City at 24 hours notice.

“I just want to play football,” Given said last night. “I do not want to go for an entire season without playing, which is how it’s looking if I don’t get games.

“I am prepared to go to a Championship club immediately to get some games and to be on a 24-hour call-back to Manchester City. That would benefit me, by getting me match-sharp, and City, who would have an experienced, match-sharp goalkeeper to come in if Joe got injured. I’d hope it would also benefit the club I’d be at. There are a couple interested.”

A problem for Given is that while City manager Roberto Mancini is willing to see him leave the club on a temporary or permanent basis, those above Mancini value Given as a significant second choice behind Mancini’s preferred number one Joe Hart.

Another problem for Given is that under Premier League rules he would have to be at the Championship club for 28 days before the 24-hour agreement came into force. City have six games in February and those above Mancini are unlikely to want to take that risk.

There are emergency clauses in the rules concerning goalkeepers in the event of injury but it would require Hart and third-choice Stuart Taylor to both be unavailable for Given to be recalled during the initial 28-day loan.

The transfer window closes on Monday at 5pm and Premier League clubs have to re-submit a 25-man squad. Given will be part of City’s regardless if he were to go on loan or not.

The week after next the loan window re-opens for Football League clubs. Mancini said: “The window closes in three days. For us it would be impossible to find another goalkeeper like Shay. He must stay here.”