Martin O'Neill: 'I would welcome Shay Given return'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 19 December 2013

Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill reveals that he would like to speak to goalkeeper Shay Given regarding the possibility of him coming out of international retirement.

Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill has indicated that he would be delighted to see goalkeeper Shay Given make himself available for international selection.

Given retired from international football last summer, but after taking over from Giovanni Trapattoni earlier this season, O'Neill would like to see the 37-year-old make a return for his country.

The former Sunderland boss told reporters: "I would not discount that at all. I haven't spoken to Shay but I would like to at some stage, if he says 'I'm back'.

"But I am having a conversation here about somebody I haven't actually spoken to. I know Shay and I've spoken to him a number of times but that was before I took the job on.

"I may be a million miles out of my ground because he may have no intention of coming back, but I certainly wouldn't discount it if I'd had that conversation and he was thinking about coming back."

Given has recently voiced his pleasure at featuring regularly during a loan spell with Middlesbrough.