SHAY GIVEN’S PREPARATIONS for next month’s crunch Euro 2012 qualifiers could be disrupted after the Aston Villa keeper tweaked his groin at the weekend.
The Express and Star reports that the 35-year-old was due to be assessed yesterday after he complained of muscle tightness and stopped taking goal kicks towards the end of Saturday’s 0-0 draw against Fulham.
With Ireland’s game against Slovakia just over two weeks away, Giovanni Trapattoni will be concerned about the possibility of losing his preferred keeper at a crucial point in the qualification campaign.
However, Villa boss Alex McLeish told the paper that he was hopeful that Given would get the all-clear.
“Shay had a bit of a tight groin, that’s why James [Collins] took the goal-kicks. But we’re hoping he’s OK.
“I need to wait and speak to the doctor but within 24 hours is normally the time to tell.”
