Newcastle United are set to leave out Shay Given from tomorrow's clash with Manchester City.

The Guardian says Given is unlikely to play at Manchester City Wednesday's . Newcastle United seem resigned to losing their goalkeeper to Mark Hughes's side and, although any deal will almost certainly be concluded after the game, all parties would prefer that Given was not involved.

Steve Harper will consequently make a rare first-team appearance and seek to emphasise why Newcastle should abandon thoughts of recruiting an experienced replacement for Given such as Portsmouth's David James.