Soccer:Aston Villa goalkeeper is facing a month out of action after tearing a hamstring during yesterday evening's 1-0 defeat by Manchester United. Given could miss Villa's busy Christmas programme after suffering the setback when making a clearance in the 30th minute.

Villa manager Alex McLeish is keeping his fingers crossed the injury is not to serious, but conceded Given is likely to be missing for up to a month.

“With Shay, it may be a grade one hamstring injury, which is the smallest tear,” McLeish explained. “It can be three or four weeks. A hamstring at any stage is never an overnight job. Let’s hope it’s not too severe.”