Newcastle privately deny City Given bid

Jan 8 2009 By Paul Loraine

Newcastle have privately denied reports Manchester City have tabled an £8million bid for keeper Shay Given.

But Joe Kinnear is well aware such an offer could materialise from one of several sources after the Irishman’s dissatisfaction on Tyneside was made abundantly clear last week.

In addition, Portsmouth have been linked with Joey Barton and Everton and Middlesbrough with Alan Smith - although Boro boss Gareth Southgate, who was interested in the former Manchester United midfielder when the Magpies sealed his £6million capture, has played down suggestions he could launch another attempt to take him to the Riverside Stadium.