NEWCASTLE UNITED boss Graeme Souness was a relieved man last night after Shay Given came through an injury scare.

The in-form goalkeeper was forced out of training with the Republic of Ireland after a training ground collision.

Given's injury came while playing in a five-a-side match as an outfield player.

Defender Gary Doherty caught the Newcastle goalkeeper, but the 29-year-old later confirmed he had suffered nothing more than bruising and would be fit for tomorrow's crunch game against Switzerland.

And with Wigan facing Newcastle three days later, Souness' fears have been eased.

A statement on the Football Association of Ireland's website www.fai.ie read: ''Only Shay Given did not complete the training session on Monday morning after taking a knock but manager Brian Kerr has said that the goalkeeper is fully fit and will train on Tuesday morning.''

Given, whose performance for his country against Cyprus on Saturday has led to him being hailed as the best around by many, will have intensive treatment today to ensure he is in top condition for tomorrow's must-win World Cup qualifier.

Brian Kerr's side need three points in the Group Four fixture to secure their passage to the World Cup finals regardless of other results.

And Given's display against Cyprus on Saturday was the main reason why Ireland are still in with a shout. His heroics between the posts ensured a strike from Sunderland's Stephen Elliott proved the difference in Nicosia.

And Ireland's Kenny Cunningham insists Given is a talent impossible to replace.

Cunningham witnessed the shot-stopper turn a spot-kick from Olympiacos striker Ioannis Okkas away, while the same player was thwarted on three other occasions.

And Birmingham defender Cunningham said: "We would not trade Shay for anyone. He's the best around - he really is. You are talking about a great keeper who gives great confidence to the back four.

"You are talking about someone with great presence, and people normally associate that with someone who is 6ft 4ins and huge physically.

''Shay may not be that, but he does have great presence, while his shot stopping is second to none and his decision making fantastic.

"As a centre-half you know that anything big he is going to come out and clean up behind you, and not only against Cyprus, but in big games in the past he has come up trumps for us."

There is also a doubt over whether Newcastle full-back Stephen Carr will be fit to take on Switzerland after suffering a knee problem against the Cypriots.

And, with so many other players in action on the international scene tomorrow, Souness is bracing himself for an anxious 48 hours.

Michael Owen, Emre, Jean-Alain Boumsong, Craig Moore and Steven Taylor are all in action for their countries over the next two nights and the Newcastle boss can't afford any more injuries.

With Albert Luque, Kieron Dyer and Nolberto Solano already on the treatment table, Souness knows any more additions to his absentee list will dampen spirits after his side's mini-revival.

Newcastle are unbeaten in four and have climbed to mid-table - a run which has coincided with Owen's arrival.

Owen, a record £16m buy from Real Madrid, was a huge miss in Newcastle's last outing when they drew 0-0 at Portsmouth.

The 25-year-old missed the trip to Fratton Park with a dead leg but played for England against Austria on Saturday and is expected to captain his country in the absence of David Beckham tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Southampton chairman Rupert Lowe has said he is not interested in signing Shola Ameobi on loan.

* All away tickets for this week's trip to Wigan have been sold with the Latics predicting a sell-out at the JJB Stadium stadium on Saturday.

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