Shay given all-clear to face Albania

Shay Given has overcome a minor calf injury and is set to line out against Albania at Lansdowne Road on Saturday.

Shay Given has overcome a minor calf injury and is set to line out against Albania at Lansdowne Road on Saturday.

The Newcastle goalkeeper picked up the knock when diving to save a ball during Sunday's training session at the squad's Monaghan base.

But the 27-year-old received the all-clear today following a scan.

Striker Glen Crowe also had a scan, on his injured knee, but remains very doubtful for Saturday's crucial Euro 2004 qualifier.

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Steven Reid, though, remains on course to play against the Under-21s in a behind closed doors practice match tomorrow in an attempt to prove his fitness.

Reid, out of the game since suffering a knee injury against Bradford in April, has targeted the two forthcoming Group 10 European Championship qualifiers for his return and is confident he will be available if selected.

"I was glad to see Steven running around so well in our training sessions this week," said Kerr. "It's great to see him running and striking a ball but I want to see him in this game against the under-21s on Wednesday.

Kerr added: "The lad has a lot of potential but it has not yet been properly fulfilled at international level. He can do more."

Stephen McPhail took no part in today's training session after suffering a dead leg yesterday, but Kerr is confident he will play in tomorrow's game against the Under-21s.