Shay Given has stated that the large Irish contingent at Stoke City has helped him settle quickly.

Given has reunited with Republic of Ireland teammates Glenn Whelan, Jon Walters and Marc Wilson upon his move to the Britannia Stadium and the 39-year-old has revealed that the presence of familiar faces have helped him settle in Staffordshire.

Given said: "It's helped me having Irish lads here to help settle me in, but the rest of the group have been great and really made me and the rest of the new guys feel welcome.

"I've played against a few of the lads at a number of different clubs in my career so they know what I'm all about, so it was a really good week."