Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan has ruled out goalkeeper Shay Given for the rest of the domestic season and it remains to be seen how much of a role he will play in a busy upcoming period for the Republic of Ireland.
The 31-year-old has been on the sidelines since February with a long-standing groin problem and while he is making good progress, Magpies boss Kevin Keegan will not take any risks.
"I think he'll be fit by the end of the season and he'll train with us for maybe the last week or 10 days, but there's no sense for him to play a match," said Keegan.
"He just needs to know by the end of the season that he's fit, ready to go away and come back fit for pre-season with all his problems behind him. I think that, for him, will be a massive relief."
On the international front Ireland are due to fly out to Portugal on Friday, May 16th for a week's training camp ahead of two international friendlies.
Giovanni Trapattoni's side will then host Serbia at Croke Park on Saturday, May 24th before they take on Columbia at Fulham's Craven Cottage ground in London five days later.
