Shay Given has confirmed that he will seek a loan move if he cannot reclaim his stopper position back from Joe Hart at Manchester City. Hart, who has become England's first choice since the World Cup, spent last season on loan at Birmingham City.
"It's very, very frustrating. I know it doesn't matter what I do on the training pitch, I won't be playing at the weekend. If I'm flying around like Clark Kent in goals, I still won't play on Saturday. That can be demoralising," he told the Sunday Times.
A move away from the club before the transfer window closed was vetoed by City, but Given insists that he will not just sit on the bench.
"The club said I wasn't going anywhere and that was frustrating," he continued.
"We'll see what happens come January and hopefully if the situation's the same I can go on loan and try and get some games in.
"I've never said I want to leave Man City. I believe it's a big club that in the next couple of years is going to do big things. I want to be part of that but I also want to be playing football.
"I wouldn't mind where a loan was and wouldn't rule out abroad if it was a good club and a good team, no disrespect to a club that's fighting relegation and getting pummelled every week - though at the minute that probably seems better than what I'm doing."
Many expected Given to be handed a chance to impress during the club's Europa League campaign, but Hart was again given the nod against Red Bull Salzburg on Thursday.
And the Irishman admits he was disappointed, adding: "I thought I'd have played but I don't know what the manager's thinking because he hasn't told me."
