Shay Given believes former club Newcastle United can still have a strong season finish.

After a testing spell, the Aston Villa goalkeeper remains confident the Toon can end the season strongly.

He told the Evening Chronicle: "The season cannot just fade away, there is too much at stake.

"You want to finish as high up the league as you can.

"United are eighth, they still have an outside chance of making the Europa League. They are not a million miles off it.

"They had such a great run a month or so back, beating Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester United. There is no reason why they cannot go on another run and sneak into the Europa places.

"They have to stay positive. The last thing they want to do is let the season peter out, and as professionals I am sure they won't.

"It is all doom and gloom after the derby, because it was such a bad result.

"Yet, in the grand scheme of things, I think Alan Pardew has done a very good job."