Out and out goalkeeper

Shay Given has dropped out of the Republic of Ireland squad due to the back injury sustained in Thursday's victory over FK Ventspils in the UEFA Cup. No news on whether he is participating in training or not, but he is hoping to be fit for our Premiership opener against Paul Jewell's Wigan on August 19th. I don't wish any injury on our top goalkeeper, but I do believe in our back up boy Steve Harper.

Good news for you today, I have no new transfer gossip to babble about. It seems the media are settled on the trio of Bridge, Martins and Gravesen.