Republic of Ireland and Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given has returned to training as he steps up his return from a serious stomach injury.

Given suffered a perforated bowel when he collided with West Ham's Marlon Harewood in the Magpies' 2-0 Barclays Premiership defeat at Upton Park last month.

The 30-year-old Donegal man had surgery within hours of the incident and spent a week in London before being allowed to return to the north-east.

The injury meant that Given missed the Republic of Ireland's embarassing 5-2 defeat against Cyprus and the 1-1 draw against the Czech Republic.

After more than a month spent in rehabilitation, Given was pictured back in training with his team-mates on Newcastle's official website today.

However, it is still unknown when the keeper will be back in action for club and country.