Newcastle United and Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given has hit out at the £6 million price tag that former club Blackburn have put on him. Given was an understudy to Tim Flowers at Ewood Park and a lack of first team football led to him quitting Ewood Park this summer under freedom of contract.

The 21-year-old signed a four-year contract with Newcastle after turning down a lucrative five-year deal to stay with Rovers.

But the clubs are way apart on a fee - which will be settled at a tribunal later this month - and Given is dismayed by Rovers' sky-high valuation.

"I find £6 million for a reserve team goalkeeper quite incredible," Given said.

"Blackburn didn't want me to go, they made that quite clear - and in fairness they offered me a very good contract to stay.

"I've heard the fee could be near £2 million, but even that seems extreme. But it appears the clubs agree to disagree about the fee."

Given's international team mate and Sunderland striker David Kelly (30) could be on his way to join John Aldridge at Tranmere.

Tranmere boss Aldridge has put in a £350,000 bid to bring Kelly to Prenton Park.

Negotiations will take place over the next 24 hours and, if a deal can be struck, Kelly will then link up with Tranmere for their pre-season Irish tour.