Given injury not serious

SHAY Given was carried off during Aston Villa's Premier League clash against Manchester United at Villa Park this evening - but the Ireland goalkeeper's injury is just a minor hamstring one.
 

The sight of the experienced goalkeeper being carted off on a stretcher is enough to make any Ireland fan grimace, but a day after Ireland learned their Euro 2012 fate, Irish supporters can rest easy in the knowledge that the Donegal man's absence isn't expected to be a lengthy one.
 

"Shay tweaked a hamstring there. Hopefully it's a grade one injury and it heals very quickly," said Villa boss Alex McLeish after the game.
 

Given was forced off when he picked up the hamstring injury in the first-half when he raced out of his penalty area to clear the ball from a United attack. The 35-year old collapsed holding his left hamstring, before Villa medics carried him off, with American Brad Guzen going on as a sub.
 

Given was then stretchered away, but the news that his injury isn't too serious comes as a big boost to Ireland, who would be in big trouble were anything to happen their stopper.
 

A veteran of a record Irish caps haul of 120, Given is one of the key men as Ireland head into their second European Championships next summer - and with Spain, Italy and Croatia in their group they'll need the safe hands of the Lifford native in top form.