Surgeons liken Given's injury to car crash victim

Surgeons have told the Newcastle manager, Glenn Roeder, that Shay Given's injuries were similar to those caused by impacts in traffic accidents.

Given, the 30-year-old Republic of Ireland international goalkeeper, will spend several days at a London hospital after undergoing surgery to repair a one-centimetre tear in his bowel following a clash with the West Ham striker Marlon Harewood on Sunday.

Roeder, who absolved Harewood of blame, said: "The surgeon said he has never seen an injury like this happen through football. He has seen it happen in car crashes where there has been impact, and I suppose that is what has caused it this time.

"Shay would be the first to admit when he sees the pictures that Marlon Harewood thought he had an opportunity to get to the ball.

"I suppose if it was Shola [Ameobi], we would have expected Shola to try to get to the ball if his team was losing 2-0. Shay being Shay, as brave as he is, was not going to turn away and not go for the ball. He went for the ball, both of them were trying to get the ball fairly and, unfortunately, Shay came off worst."

Given is expected to be out for around six weeks.