Given has started all of Manchester City's eight games this season on the bench

Newcastle boss Chris Hughton says that Manchester City's Shay Given will not return to the club following an injury to first-choice keeper Steve Harper.

Harper could be out for months after suffering a shoulder injury against Everton on Saturday, while Given, 34, has been told he can leave City.

It had led to speculation that Given could return to St James' Park.

"I can understand that and it is a very emotional one but no, I can say that won't be happening," said Hughton.

Given, who moved to Eastlands from Newcastle for £8m in January 2009, has not featured in any of Manchester City's eight fixtures this season, and has expressed his frustration at the lack of first-team opportunities.

Speaking after City's 2-0 win at Wigan on Sunday, Mancini said: "I told Shay that he can stay but I respect his decision and if he wants to leave he can.

"He decided to stay here and until January [when the transfer window opens] he must stay here."

"I have a lot of respect for Shay and I told him the situation. I understand his frustration but I need that Shay stays here and puts in 100%."

Dutch youngster Tim Krul is the only established back-up for 35-year-old Harper, the man who for so long acted as back-up to Given during the Irishman's 11-and-a-half-year stay on Tyneside.

Harper landed awkwardly after an untidy challenge by striker Jermaine Beckford and damaged a ligament in his shoulder. The full extent of the injury is still being assessed.

But Hughton insists Krul can cope - and is likely to retain his place for Wednesday night's Carling Cup third-round trip to Chelsea.

"Tim Krul has come in before and adapted very, very well," he said.

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"He is a young keeper of high ability and I certainly have no worries about him performing.

"But we will have to assess it once we are made aware of the extent of Steve's injury.

"Tim is in the squad for the Chelsea game and I have absolutely no worries in putting him in."

Third-choice keeper Fraser Forster is currently on a season-long loan deal at Celtic with no prospect of any recall until January at the earliest, so 20-year-old Swede Ole Soderberg is next in line.

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