SHAY GIVEN IS set to keep his place as Stoke’s first-choice goalkeeper for the foreseeable future after England international Jack Butland’s injury setback.
The 23-year-old, who was signed by the club in 2013 but took over as number one after Asmir Begovic left in 2015, starred for the Potters last term before he picked up an ankle injury while playing for his country in March.
He seemed set to make his return for Stoke’s Premier League opener against Middlesbrough but damaged the ankle again in the build-up to the fixture.
He’s been unable to shake it off, despite some rest and rehab and now Butland has confirmed that he’ll require an operation on Monday to resolve the issue.
Reports suggest he may be out for as long as two months.
He took to Twitter to make a statement this morning:
Given has started in each of Stoke’s four games so far this season but is still waiting for his first top-flight win and clean-sheet of the campaign with the team having leaked four goals against Manchester City while there was 1-0 loss to Everton and a 1-1 draw with ‘Boro.
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