Given submits formal transfer request

FA PREMIER LEAGUE NEWS: OFFICIALLY, SHAY GIVEN was omitted from the Newcastle United squad for Wednesday night's defeat at Manchester City because of a knee injury.

In reality, there is no one as this stage who doesn’t know the real reason he was left behind – the Donegalman’s serious case of itchy feet.

Players with the condition generally get to walk and while Given’s hopes of completing a move to Eastlands over the coming days hinge on the clubs resolving their considerable differences over the scale of the fee to be paid, the 32-year-old goalkeeper appeared to move a significant step closer to forcing the issue last night when he submitted a formal transfer request, effectively waiving a portion of the fee, certain other bonuses and, after 11 years at St James’ Park, his entitlement to a testimonial game.

Newcastle are appalled by the prospect of losing a goalkeeper regarded as one of the Premier League’s three best for around half of what they believe to be his value. But City, for all their wealth, find themselves in the position of bidding for a player they know wants to join them and one who will be even more disillusioned with his employers if he is not allowed to do so.

“We have had approaches for Shay – serious approaches from Man City,” confirmed Newcastle boss Joe Kinnear yesterday. “They’ve offered £5 million (€5.3 million) for him. We think it’s an insult to offer that for the best ’keeper in the Premier League. It’s a derisory offer. But,” he added, “Shay has made it clear he wants to leave.”

Given and his representative, Michael Kennedy, have made attempts to resolve the situation over the last few days including one lengthy meeting with Newcastle owner Mike Ashley and the club’s chief executive, Derek Llambias, but City’s refusal to pay something in the region for the Irish international that they paid for Wayne Bridge and Craig Bellamy remains a major stumbling block.

“I wasn’t involved too much with the meeting,” said Kinnear. “But as far as I know, the owner and the managing director were unhappy they’ve only been offered £5 million.”

City have also been linked with a move for Ireland striker Robbie Keane, although Spurs, who would need permission from the English FA in order to buy him back just six months after selling him, remain the frontrunners to formally bid for his services. So far though, they have not got beyond the enquiry stage.

Dundee United’s Willo Flood, meanwhile, was finally in talks with Celtic yesterday about a move to Parkhead. The Dubliner, who missed what turned out to be the crucial spot-kick for United as they lost a League Cup semi-final penalty shoot-out 11-10 to Gordon Strachan’s side on Wednesday night, had earlier called for the club to make clear whether they really wanted to sign him.

By mid-afternoon it was confirmed Celtic had approached Cardiff City, who loaned him to United, and Flood is expected to join Celtic over the next day or so.

Elsewhere, Ireland underage international Alan Judge has gone on loan from Blackburn to Plymouth for the rest of the season, while former Cork City defender Alan Bennett has extended his loan deal at Brentford from Reading until the summer.