Shay Given loan deal still not confirmed

Championship club Doncaster Rovers face an uphill task to convince Aston Villa goalkeeper Shay Given to drop down a division and join the club even if their proposed lucrative takeover by an Irish consortium goes through as expected this week.

Docnaster boss Paul Dickov confirmed to the media last week that they have made an enquiry with Villa about taking the player on a yearlong loan to aid their Championship campaign but admitted that they were still waiting to hear from the Villa shot stopper. According to Dickov, Doncaster Rovers contacted Aston Villa about taking Shay Given on loan for the season about two weeks back but they have yet to hear anything from either the club or the player.

And although he wants first team football, the former Newcastle United goalkeeper is not entirely sure about dropping down to the Championship just yet. Docnaster have been without a senior goalkeeper with their Championship campaign already underway and the club’s new potential Irish owners have made the Republic of Ireland international as their first choice.

According to sources in the Yorkshire region, the lucrative investment into the club could be finalized in the next 48 hours as well and with the Irish consortium taking charge, they are looking at Shay Given to garner support for the team back home in Ireland.

Given lost his # 1 shirt to American ‘keeper Brad Guzan last season and was handed the lowly # 35 shirt and was also told that he is free to leave the club before being asked to train on his own. Dickov has also denied that the club is looking to bring in Stephen Ireland from Aston Villa along with Shay Given, stating that since they are friends, people are putting two and two together and speculating on the deal.