Shay Given will discuss his future with Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini next week if he finds himself on the bench on Saturday. At a Republic of Ireland press conference yesterday looking ahead to tomorrow's friendly with Argentina, Given made it clear he is not prepared to play second fiddle to Joe Hart this season. Hart was outstanding during a season-long loan at Birmingham last season, to such an extent that Mancini has refused to allow the 23 -year-old to join another club on a similar basis.
That has opened the debate as to whether Hart or Given will receive the nod from Mancini for Saturday's Premier League curtain-raiser against Tottenham at White Hart Lane. "We will have to wait until lunchtime on Saturday when the manager picks the team to see who starts in goal," said Given, 34,, who has been linked with Arsenal and Fulham of late due to the uncertainty. "Obviously I hope to start, but it's inevitable there is going to be speculation because I know Joe is also a top keeper. The manager will decide, and whoever he starts with you would feel that is who he would mostly want to play in the big games.
"If I don't start then I'll sit down with the club next week and see where my future lies." Elsewhere, West Brom have signed former England full-back Nicky Shorey. The 29-year-old has signed a two-year contract with the Baggies, who have the option of a further year, after moving from Aston Villa for an undisclosed fee. "He's an experienced, solid, reliable left-back who likes to get forward and get involved," said Roberto Di Matteo, the West Brom manager.
Kevin Phillips, the veteran Birmingham striker, has been ruled out for a "considerable period" with a torn thigh muscle suffered during in Saturday's friendly defeat by Real Mallorca. * Agencies
