Given expected to be fit for Ireland opener
Reuters - Wednesday 06 June 2012, 13:09
Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given should
be fit for Sunday's Euro 2012 opener against Croatia,
goalkeeping coach Alan Kelly said on Wednesday.
"I don't think wild horses would keep him from being on
that pitch," Kelly told a news conference at the Irish team base
in Gdynia, Poland.
Given, who has won 122 caps, was substituted in Monday's
friendly against Hungary after missing the May 26 friendly
against Bosnia when he travelled to London to have a scan on an
injured knee.
After Monday's game, when he was replaced by Kieron
Westwood, it was reported by Irish media that Given was also
suffering from a calf problem.
"Once you get a little niggle with a knee, you get
compensatory issues," Kelly added.
"But anyone who saw the game he played the other night
wouldn't question his fitness, form or how sharp he is."
Kelly said that a decision was taken to rest the player
after the journey to Gdynia, where the rest of his team mates
trained on Tuesday.
He added that there was no risk of a half-fit Given playing
against Croatia, only to get injured and miss the rest of the
tournament.
"If he's fit to play on Sunday, then he's fit to play,"
Kelly said. "He wouldn't do that if it meant in any way that it
would impair his performance."