Kinnear calm over Given future

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Given's future was thrown into doubt late on Thursday night when his lawyer, Michael Kennedy, revealed the level of his despondency over the club's current plight following Sunday's 5-1 demolition by Liverpool.

Asked if he believed he and the club's hierarchy have to persuade Given he can fulfil his ambitions at St James' Park, Kinnear said: "I don't think it's that serious, to be honest. The boy has been here 11 years, he has given fantastic service to the club."

He added: "The contract was put to Shay and he signed it until 2011, it's as simple as that really.

"I had a long chat with Shay - it was the first thing we did. He's fine. He wants to do the best he possibly can."

Kennedy's comments immediately alerted potential suitors to the 32-year-old's possible availability amid speculation that Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester City were on his trail.

Although Arsene Wenger has dismissed rumours linking him with a move for Given, Newcastle may have to brace themselves for a difficult few weeks if other potential suitors refuse to accept Kinnear's hands-off warning at face value.

The 62-year-old, rather than looking to offload any of his better players, is hopeful of making at least five signings during the transfer window, some of them on loan if he has to in a difficult market.

He said: "We don't owe a bean as far as the club is concerned, whereas there are a lot of other clubs which might be going into liquidation and might be forced to sell their players.

"Everybody is aware of that and everybody is honing in on that. We are waiting to see just how that pans out. We have got a lot of irons in the fire with players, but at this moment in time, there are lots of us chasing the same players."