TWO DAYS SHY of his 40th birthday, Shay Given named in Stoke City’s starting line-up for tonight’s Premier League game against Tottenham Hotspur at the Britannia Stadium.
Given turns 40 on Wednesday and Mark Hughes has given the Liffordman his first League appearance for Stoke, who host title hopefuls Tottenham.
It is Given’s first Premier League game since he conceded six when playing for Aston Villa in a 6-1 loss against Southampton at St Mary’s last May.
With Jack Butland injured, Hughes plmped for Jakob Haugaard, but he has conceded six goals in two games, a 2-2 draw against Swansea and a 4-1 loss against Liverpool.
Selection tonight also gives Given a Euro 2016 lifeline.
Given was first choice for Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill for last year’s crunch qualifiers against Poland, Scotland and Germany but was stretchered off in the latter fixture.
Rob Elliot’s recent injury opened the door again for the other goalkeepers and Given will look to impress tonight.
“I am ready,” he said at the weekend.
“I feel good and have been training now for three or four weeks. I played an under-21 game and have had no reaction, so hopefully I will get a run in the first team at some point before the end.”
