Given recently played his 450th game for Newcastle

Newcastle interim manager Joe Kinnear has warned Tottenham that goalkeeper Shay Given is not for sale.

Spurs manager Harry Redknapp has made no secret of his admiration for the Republic of Ireland international.

But Kinnear said: "I can tell Harry not to bother even picking up the telephone because there is no way Shay's leaving.

"We want to build up Newcastle United and get good players in, not good players out. And why would he want to go to Spurs? This is a bigger club."

606: DEBATE Your views on Shay Given

Kinnear, who remains Magpies' manager on a temporary basis, added: "Shay has a lot of presence - all great goalkeepers have it.

"He reminds me a lot of Pat Jennings, who I played in front of for most of my time at Spurs.

"I have the utmost respect for Shay Given, as have most people in the game. He has vast experience and he is vital to us - and not only that, he is a decent fella."

Tottenham's first-choice keeper is currently Brazilian Heurelho Gomes.

Signed by previous boss Juande Ramos from PSV Eindhoven last summer for �7.8m, his erratic displays have attracted much criticism this season.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version