Sport

Newcastle tell Given that he's staying put

Shay Given has had his request for a transfer turned down by Newcastle

Wed Jan 17 2001 - 00:00

Shay Given has had his request for a transfer turned down by Newcastle. The 24-year-old Republic of Ireland international rocked the St James' Park club earlier this month when he formally asked for a move after failing to regain his place from Steve Harper following his return from injury.

Given made his request in writing to both manager Bobby Robson and chairman Freddy Shepherd, and was told he would be given a decision in due course.

Robson delivered the verdict in a written reply as he and his players - including Given - prepared for tonight's FA Cup third round replay against Aston Villa.

"The board's decision is that his transfer request has been turned down," Robson said. "I would expect him to react to that in a professional way. He's made a request which has been denied. I would hope he would accept that and get on with serving this football club on the contract he signed, take it on and go step-by-step."

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Given said yesterday: "To be perfectly honest, I am pleased to know where I stand. My intention was simply to express my frustration at being left out of the team after I had missed the Leeds United game through injury.

"As I pledged at the time, I am 100 per cent committed to Newcastle United and am as much a part of the team now as ever before. I have been training hard and am determined to win back both my place in the team and my excellent relationship with the fans."

Meanwhile, Les Ferdinand's future at Tottenham was in doubt last night after Brescia identified the former England striker as the man to keep them in Serie A and said they had held talks with the 34-year-old in Italy. Ferdinand's willingness to meet Brescia directors in Milan last Sunday indicates he is keen to make one final lucrative move.

Arsenal yesterday completed a £3 million gamble on Dennis Bergkamp when the Dutch star finally signed a new two-year contract which will keep him at Highbury for the rest of his career.

It means Bergkamp (31), will have been an Arsenal player for eight years by the time the new deal expires in June 2003.

Arsenal have also completed the signing of Brazilian midfielder Edu. The 22-year-old's move to Highbury from Sao Paulo outfit Corinthians has gone through after the player secured a Portuguese passport.