Newcastle's Given sidelined for six weeks

0 Comments | AFP, March, 2008

LONDON (AFP) — Newcastle will be without first-choice goalkeeper Shay Given for most of what remains of the season following surgery to repair a groin injury.

Given, who has not played in almost a month, went under the knife in Germany for an operation carried out by the same hernia specialist who saved Michael Owen's career.

In a statement, Newcastle said Given was expected to make a full recovery but would be out of action for six weeks.

The Ireland international has been been blighted by groin problems since a collision with then West Ham striker Marlon Harewood left him with a perforated bowel in September 2006.

© 2008 AFP