PETER Reid is expected to launch another raid for Blackburn Rovers' young goalkeeper Shay Given this week. But the answer will be the same from Ewood - Nothing doing.

The Sunderland boss saw his only experienced keeper Tony Coton suffer a badly broken leg at Southampton on Saturday.

And Given, the subject of a seven-figure club record bid by Sunderland in summer, is something of a cult hero at Roker after a three-month loan spell there last season. Rovers have so far been unable to agree a new contract with the keeper, who has revealed his Irish international chances are in jeopardy if he is not playing first team football. But manager Ray Harford said today: "If anything our position has become stronger. I think, as a pair, we have the best two keepers in the country and, as a manager, that's what you want.

"Shay is competing with Tim every day. I've had lots of talks with him, he has been very professional and sensible about it and we see each other's point of view."

Given has no problem with Rovers, except for the fact that he isn't first choice and that affects his international future, with Irish boss Mick McCarthy stating players had to be in first team football to be picked for the national side.

The keeper's present deal runs out at the end of the season and Rovers have had a number of discussions with the young keeper about signing a new contract. They are keen to keep him but, come the end of the season, the ball would be in his court.

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