Mark Hughes says that there is not a great possibility of Shay Given

Stoke City boss Mark Hughes says that there is not a great possibility of Shay Given featuring for the Republic of Ireland national team in the upcoming Euro 2016 play-off match.

This is a very crucial fixture for the national team given that it will give them yet another opportunity to feature in a major tournament. Ireland failed spectacularly in the previous Euro 2012 to make any major impact, but this is a great opportunity to go for a second consecutive European Championship. For this purpose, the national team was very much looking forward to having started goalkeeper Shay Given protecting the goal.

This appears to be made tough because of the knee injury suffered by the player. The 39-year-old is one of the most experienced goalkeepers in terms of international football. He has represented the Ireland national team in 133 matches, but he has been sidelined since limping away from the 1-0 win over Germany back in October. The upcoming game against Bosnia and Herzegovina will be anything but easier. Hughes predicted that it will be tough for the goalkeeper to make it to the national team given that he has not recovered sufficiently from the surgery. Stoke, themselves, have been getting through with youngster Jack Buckland deputising him in goal.

“He was in training the other day and unfortunately after training, his knee blew up. He’s got a little bit of loose bone in the knee which we hoped would just settle down.But obviously it’s raised his head again and it looks like he might have to have a procedure to deal with it. I’m not sure if that decision has been made as yet, but it’s probably what will happen.No, he won’t be available for that. I would be very surprised,” said the Stoke City manager.