Soccer:Manchester City hope Shay Given will be fit for the start of next season after undergoing shoulder surgery. The City and Republic of Ireland goalkeeper went under the knife yesterday after dislocating his left shoulder during the Arsenal game last weekend.
City revealed that the early indications suggest the three-hour surgery on the 34-year-old's shoulder and ligaments was a success and the Ireland international should be able to start rehabilitation soon.
“Shay Given has had surgery on his left shoulder and it is hoped that he will be back to full fitness in time for the start of next season,” the brief statement read on City’s website.
Given had been in great form for City and manager Roberto Mancini was forced to draft in Sunderland's Marton Fulop on an emergency loan to cover for the former Newcastle stalwart.
Fulop was signed yesterday after efforts to get Joe Hart back from his loan spell at Birmingham failed.
Hart was City’s first choice to replace Given, but the deal was blocked by the Premier League, leaving Faroe Islands international Gunner Nielsen as the Blues only fit goalkeeper.
It led to consternation at Eastlands, where Blues officials felt they had been the victims of a U-turn by the authorities.
However, Mancini admitted he could understand Birmingham’s position.
“It is an emergency for us,” said Mancini. “We tried to get Joe but Birmingham said no. I respect that decision.
“We had to get someone because I have no idea when Shay will be back and, apart from Gunner Nielsen, we only had a 15-year-old.
“I will check the players in training and decide who plays on Saturday.”