Shay Given responsibility

Caretaker boss Glenn Roeder has handed the Newcastle captaincy to goalkeeper Shay Given due to injuries to captain Alan Shearer and vice captain Scott Parker.

After Shearer's knee injury is expected to keep him out for the season, midfielder Parker would be the obvious replacement as skipper but he has been diagnosed with glandular fever and will also miss the run-in. Behind Shearer, Given is the longest serving player at the club enduring 8 seasons at St James' Park. The Irishman who turned 30 on Thursday remains one of the most highly rated keepers in the league due to his superb consistency over the years.

Roeder backed up his decision by saying "I have got to know Shay Given very well in the past couple of months and like everyone, I know what tremendous ability he has. However, it is not just his ability, but he has huge respect in the dressing room among the players, and that is so important. You have to look for a lot of qualities in a captain and Shay just about ticks all the boxes." Given will be the first goalkeeper to lead Newcastle out in a Premiership game and the boss has installed great faith in him.