Shay Given is fit to start for Stoke against Tottenham if required
Thursday 14 April 2016 11:18, UK
Stoke goalkeeper Shay Given says he is fit and ready to return after knee surgery if required for the Monday Night Football clash with Tottenham.
The 39-year-old has not played a Premier League game this season but is eager to prove his fitness ahead of the Republic of Ireland's Euro 2016 campaign.
And there is speculation Stoke boss Mark Hughes will start Given on Monday, Dane Jakob Haugaard having conceded six goals in two games since replacing injured England 'keeper Jack Butland.
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Given told The Sentinel: "I'm ready but I haven't really spoken to the gaffer about the situation.
"Obviously, he wanted me to play with the reserves last week and I was due to play again in the reserves on Saturday, but the situation changed with Jack Butland's injury.
"The gaffer makes that call and he's watching training every day and I'm sure on Monday he will make the decision, but I am ready.
"Thankfully, my knee is a lot better and I am ready to go. Hopefully, before the end of the season, I'll get a game or two, or three, or four, or five."
Stoke were hammered 4-1 at Liverpool on Sunday but Given pointed out that it would be extremely harsh to blame Haugaard. "I wouldn't say he's really to blame for any of the goals individually.
"You might look to improve his starting position but it's not like he's chucked one in.
"In this day and age, whenever goals go in, the finger gets pointed at the goalkeeper and then they work their way back from there.
"There wasn't just a goalkeeper at Liverpool on Sunday. There were 11 players in total and we win as a team and lose as a team.
"The main thing is to learn from experiences. Kenny Dalglish once said to me: 'Never get too down on yourself with a bad performance and never get too carried away if you have a great game.'
"It's all about keeping a level head and Jakob is a level-headed guy. Jakob has a big future ahead of him and he will be the stronger for these games he's playing."
