Shay Given has tipped his new £5million team-mate Damien Duff to become a cult figure with the Newcastle fans once the new Premiership season gets underway.

Goalkeeper Given is well placed to give his opinion on the exciting former Chelsea star having lined up alongside him for the Republic of Ireland.

Given said: "He is so exciting to watch, he goes past players and gets the ball into the box. The lads up front will have plenty of service this year and Duffer will have the fans on the edge of their seats.

"We hope he is tailor-made for Newcastle. He has signed a five-year contract which says he is going to be here for a
while."

Duff played for an hour at the weekend in the defeat by PSV Eindhoven just days after arriving on Tyneside.

Given told www.nufc.co.uk: "Damien is still a little bit rusty and needs some more match practice. I know he is still a little bit off the mark, but you did see some glimpses in the first half that showed he is a special player. The players have also seen some glimpses in training of what he is all about too.

"I have known for quite a while how good he is because I have played with him for Ireland so many times."

Duff added: "I felt better than I thought I would against PSV. I can only get stronger in the weeks ahead."