Newcastle United boss Joe Kinnear admits he may be forced to cash in on Shay Given.

Manchester City are chasing the unsettled goalkeeper and Kinnear said: "I just hope it never comes down to Mike (Ashley) suggesting to me that I sell Shay Given in order to free up funds.

"I'd tell Mike that Shay must stay.

"Shay is an untouchable as far as I'm concerned. Shay and Michael (Owen) are untouchable in January and there's no chance I'd sell."

Kinnear's bid to keep Given is only further complicated by the fact that City are willing to almost double the Irishman's wages from his current £35,000-a-week.