Given reveals injury horror

Shay Given has described the injury at West Ham as 'the scariest moment of my life'.

Shay Given has described the injury he sustained at West Ham as 'the scariest moment of my life'.

Given sustained serious injuries in a collision with West Ham striker Marlon Harewood, that doctors said were akin to those suffered in a car accident.

The Newcastle keeper underwent bowel surgery and is now back to full health, and the Republic of Ireland international is thankful that the injury was not even worse.

"It was pretty horrific. It was the scariest moment of my life. Looking back it's frightening to think what might have happened," said Given.

"I am fortunate that the problem was identified so quickly and that they got me into the operating theatre as soon as they did. Full marks to the medical staff in London.

"It was really bad, my bowel started to leak into my system, I passed out for ten seconds, my body just shut down with the pain.

"It was scary. It was the worst pain I have ever felt - it was difficult to describe.

"If your body shuts down, it's pretty horrific."