Republic shot-stopper is no longer the No 1 in the Midlands.
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Aston Villa are happy to let veteran goalkeeper Shay Given leave Villa Park on loan this season, however, the Premier League club are unwilling to subsidise the Irishman’s hefty wage packet though, according to reports in the Guardian.
The 37-year-old lost his place between the sticks at the beginning of last season following the arrival of Paul Lambert as the new head coach of Villa, with United States international Brad Guzan replacing Given as Villa’s No 1.
And as a result, the Republic of Ireland international has been trying to find himself a new club all summer long, although without any success so far.
Given had appeared to be on the verge of moving to Premier League giants Liverpool on a season-long loan towards the end of the close-season transfer window, only for that proposed move to fall through at the very last minute on transfer deadline day.
The Merseysiders had been prepared to pay some of Given’s £3m-a-year salary, however, not enough to make the switch financially attractive enough to the Midlands outfit.
And that particular sticking point could end up preventing the shot stopper from leaving Villa on loan this season, especially to a Championship side that would be far less likely to be able to afford the player’s salary.
“Of course it’s just frustrating not playing, it’s hard to keep training and know there’s no game at the end of the week,” said Given. “Things can change quickly in football with injuries and suspensions and if I get an opportunity I’ve got to be ready to take it if that hopefully comes along. I’m fit as a fiddle and feel really sharp. I’m just raring to get that chance.
“I played in Stiliyan Petrov’s testimonial in front of 60,000 fans at the weekend and as a player that’s all you want to do, to show people you’ve still got the ability to play in the Premier League.”