Roeder hoping that Given can return
Thursday, 28 December 2006 14:49Ireland and Newcastle United goalkeeper Shay Given is hoping to overcome injury to make his 400th appearance for the club in Saturday's clash at Everton.
Given missed the St Stephen's Day defeat by Bolton after succumbing to groin problems in the previous Barclays Premiership fixture against Tottenham Hotspur.
Pavel Srnicek is again on hand to deputise at Goodison Park but Roeder has not ruled Given out, meaning he could become only the ninth player to reach a quadruple century in Magpies history.
'Shay is hoping to be back against Everton and we have not discounted this, although perhaps he will have a better chance of making the Manchester United game (on Monday),' said Roeder.
'But regardless of when Shay does come back, I have to say that we have complete confidence in Pavel Srnicek.'
Veteran Srnicek, 38, a star of the Kevin Keegan era a decade ago, rejoined the club on a free transfer in October as back-up at a time when Given and Steve Harper were both injured.
The Czech is one of four goalkeepers to have featured this term with Tim Krul, who is also not fully fit despite being on the bench on Saturday, being the other.
Srnicek played the last three minutes against Spurs after Given left the field and started at the Reebok Stadium.
Roeder is hopeful the injury situation involving his keepers will soon start to clear.
He added: 'Steve will put his gloves back on in the next couple of days after his double hernia operation but he is still couple of weeks away.
'As far as Tim is concerned, he has only had a couple of days training after a cartilage operation, and while he may have to go on the bench again over the weekend, as he was at Bolton Wanderers, he is still not fully fit.'
