Allardyce facing a dilemma over Given

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Given was recalled for the Carling Cup game at Arsenal in midweek and was man of the match despite the home side's 2-0 win.

Shay Given: Saving grace is patience

But Steve Harper, who has been understudy to Given for almost a decade, is likely to reclaim his place at Manchester City tomorrow.

That will be another blow in a difficult year for Given, who required stomach surgery and months of rest after a collision with Marlon Harewood at West Ham. The former Celtic keeper has suffered a series of niggling problems related to that clash.

When Allardyce arrived, Given was injured again after suffering a groin strain in pre-season and Harper has been outstanding in Given's absence.

Given admitted he was unhappy at his situation earlier this month, before starring in Ireland's Euro 2008 qualifiers in Slovakia and the Czech Republic, and was seeking talks with Allardyce who promoted 19-year-old Fraser Forster to the bench at the Emirates.

The Newcastle manager said: "I chose Shay on Tuesday but in reverse I would have picked Steven Harper for the Arsenal game if Shay had been playing regularly in the Premiership.

"When you have got two outstanding goalkeepers the hardest part of the job is keeping one happy when one is not playing and the other one is in the team. That is the hardest part of management but to have two such outstanding keepers is also comforting.

"Will Shay be happy on the bench? He cannot be. Impossible. Steve Harper is slightly better at it but it is not about making a decision based on who will create more problems for me. It is all about what you think is the right thing, or the right goalkeeper, for that particular time."