End Of The City Line For Shay?

Shay Given’s City career could be over after manager Roberto Mancini the Irish keeper would sidelined for three months with a shoulder injury.

Given has struggled with a shoulder injury since he first dislocated it during a 0-0 draw at Arsenal last season which, of course, prompted the furious debate over whether City should have been allowed to sign an emergency keeper. Given didn’t finish the season and it seems now that the problem has re-emerged.

Given has barely featured this season since losing his place to England’s new number one keeper Joe Hart and has had to be content with a place on the bench for much of the campaign. And boss Mancini has stated that Given will be allowed to leave Eastlands once a replacement has been signed.

It looks like being a sad ending for the keeper, who signed from Newcastle in January 2009. Given went straight into Hughes’ side, replacing youngster Joe Hart and went on to perform heroics in the City goal, and kept the blues in the UEFA Cup with two penalty saves as the blues beat Aalborg in a shoot-out in Denmark.

After taking the number one shirt from Hart, Given remained between the sticks for the following season while Hart was loaned out to Birmingham for the season but, with the young keeper performing well, Given was subsequently relegated to the bench for the opening game at Spurs and has seen his appearances limited to just four, one in the League Cup and three in Euro ties and has not featured at all in the Premier League.

If it does turn out that Given has played his last game for City, we wish him well for the future.