SHAY Given might have joined the 300 club on Sunday, but the Newcastle goalkeeper has his sights set on an even more illustrious record as he attempts to write his name into Tyneside folklore.

Given, who has already won more international caps than any other United player in history, made his 300th start for the Magpies in last weekend's 1-1 draw with Everton.

Since moving from Blackburn in July 1997, the Republic of Ireland international has proved impossible to dislodge and, at number one on the squad list, it is safe to assume that his really is the first name on Graeme Souness' team sheet.

With United regularly competing on four fronts at the start of a season, Given is rapidly closing in on Jimmy Lawrence's all-time appearance record of 496 games in a black and white shirt.

On current progress, he will pass the mark at the start of the 2008-09 season.

But, at just 28 years of age, he is hoping to be around for even longer than that.

"I still feel quite young," said Given, who became a father for the first time last month.

"I would like to think that I have got another ten years at the top left in me, as long as I can steer clear of injuries.

"I don't think I'll make as many appearances as Peter Shilton, but I'd like to play as many games as possible so that, when I look back on my career, I feel I gave it a good shot and made a lot of appearances for a big club.

"It's a big honour to reach this landmark here. Newcastle is a big club and people shouldn't forget that.

"I'm very proud to have made so many appearances and I hope there are a lot more to come."

Kenny Dalglish brought Given to St James' Park after he had been unable to dislodge Tim Flowers at Blackburn.

Since then the Irishman has established himself as one of the most reliable shot-stoppers in the Premiership.

He was named in the PFA's team of the season after playing in every Premiership game of 2001-02, and recently made the shortlist for the Premier League's 'Save of the Decade' poll in recognition of one particularly memorable stop from Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips.

This season his form has dipped slightly with two uncharacteristic errors contributing to October's 2-1 defeat at Bolton, and another rush of blood almost handed Everton's Marcus Bent a winner on Sunday.

Given accepts that he has not always been at his best this term.

But he is confident he has both the experience and the expertise to put his mistakes to the back of his mind.

"I've set myself standards and, in a couple of games this season, I've fallen below them and made individual errors," he said.

"But the important thing for a goalkeeper is how you bounce back.

"You have to have broad shoulders and hold your hands up when you have a bad game.

"You will make mistakes over the course of a season, you just have to try to make as few as possible.

"I'm just trying to be consistent and, hopefully, my mistakes are now out of the way for this season."

Given's previous howlers can be counted on one hand, although the goalkeeper did make one of his most high-profile gaffes at Chelsea two seasons ago when he allowed an innocuous shot from Bolo Zenden to wriggle through his hands and into the net.

He will return to Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

But, while he is desperate to avoid a similar personal mishap, he is more concerned about the team taking a much-needed three points.

Chelsea recently dumped the Magpies out of the Carling Cup but, with Newcastle currently trailing Jose Mourinho's side by a sizeable sixteen points, they can ill afford another defeat in West London.

"The league form has been disappointing," conceded Given. "But our confidence is high. Even when we haven't been getting the results we want, we have been playing some good stuff.

"In the cup game against Chelsea we lost 2-0 but, over 90 minutes, we had a lot more chances than they did."

* Newcastle striker Michael Chopra has extended his loan spell at League One side Barnsley to the end of the season.

Chopra, who made a slow start to life at Oakwell, has scored four times in the last month.

* Newcastle's game against Bolton Wanderers has been moved to Sunday February 27, kick-off 1pm

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