Given’s search goes on at Moss

VETERAN goalkeeper Shay Given is still training with Macclesfield Town as he continues his search for a new team.

The 41-year-old was released by Premier League outfit Stoke City at the end of last season and had been initially training with the Silkmen alongside Alex Bruce and Wes Brown for pre-season.

The Irish international made his senior debut 23 years ago but insists he can carry on for at least one more season and believes his time at Moss Lane has been well spent.

“It’s going well, I’m keeping my eye in, keeping my fitness.”, Given said.

“Hopefully something will come, my agent is quite confident we will get something.”

Despite training with the Conference team for several weeks, the exManchester City man has his eyes set on playing a higher division.

“I’ve had a few lower division clubs on to me as well, but I’m kind of holding back if I’m being honest to see if there is something higher up,” he said.

“If not then we will go lower down the road.”

Given has been well received at Macclesfield, manager John Askey said: “They have been training with us and they are great to have around.

“It says a lot about the Football Club that they came in to training one day, and then came in the next and the next.”

There are also signs Given is casting his eye to the future during his time with the Silkmen, he said: “At Macclesfield I have been doing a bit of coaching with the keepers as well.

“I would love to get involved in coaching and I would love to get involved in the Premier League.”

Given has made 489 appearances during his lengthy career and has been capped 134 times by Ireland.