Toon expect Given to stay

Caz · Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2006 11:05 am

Newcastle are confident that goalkeeper Shay Given will commit his long-term future to the club.

The Republic of Ireland international, who has only 18 months left on his present deal, has been in sparkling form this term despite his side's struggles.

Unsurprisingly, he has been linked with a move away from St James' Park although the player himself has expressed a willingness to extend his stay on Tyneside.

Indeed, it was the 29-year-old who had expressed disappointment at the lack of movement on a new deal after Newcastle's failure to open talks on an extension.

However, Newcastle chairman Freddie Shepherd put that right this week when he met Given's representative Michael Kennedy and the Toon supremo is hopeful agreement will be reached without any hiccups.

"Everything is fine and we're not anticipating any problems," Shepherd stated.

Meanwhile, Alan Shearer has come out in support of Graeme Souness following the damaging 1-0 home defeat by Blackburn on Saturday.

The end of the game saw mass protests from Newcastle fans at Souness' handling of team affairs, but Shearer insists the players are still very much behind the embattled Scot.

"It does not have an affect on us at all (speculation over Souness)," stated the striker, who needs just one more goal to overtake Jackie Milburn as the club's leading goalscorer.

"He is a decent man who wants to do well for this football club and he has been hindered by injuries.

"We have to stick together and have to try and turn things around."

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Toon expect Given to stay

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