Shay Given is uncertain to play against Macedonia next Wednesday after damaging his knee during a warm-up exercise before the Ireland squad trained at Clonshaugh yesterday.

Given was in considerable pain after his knee locked and was later able to walk only with a crutch. The initial fear was that he had torn a cartilage but a full diagnosis will not be possible until today.

Ironically, the goalkeeper was the only player pre-selected for the aborted game against Yugoslavia after Mick McCarthy said that, in spite of the player's recent problems at club level, Given still retained his confidence.

If Given is ruled out it will mean a first team start for Sheffield United's Alan Kelly, who won the last of his 22 caps in the 1-1 draw with Romania in a World Cup qualifier at Lansdowne Road in October 1997.

McCarthy, who also has doubts about the fitness of Jason McAteer, will keep his players in training in Dublin and may arrange a game against Ian Evans' Under-21 team for match practice at the weekend.

Commenting on the postponement of the Yugoslav fixture, he said: "It is very sad but the Government's intervention was the only avenue left open.

"We don't want Yugoslavia thrown out of Euro 2000, but with all the atrocities taking place in Kosovo and, indeed, the bombing of Belgrade, this was not the time to play this game. The match should be played only when the situation in the Balkans gets back to normal."

"The match should be played only when the situation in the Balkans gets back to normal." - Mick McCarthy