SHAY GIVEN fears Newcastle United are heading for more under-achievement - but the Irishman still believes the injury-plagued Magpies can secure a European place.

Given, regarded as one of the finest goalkeepers in the world, is not one to use the absentee list as an excuse for poor performances but does feel Newcastle could yet follow Liverpool's lead.

The Reds had been widely criticised for failing to transfer exciting and comprehensive European displays on to the domestic front at the start of the campaign, but they sit third in the Premiership this morning after an outstanding run of form.

And now Given, who was far from happy after only a point was taken from Saturday's Villa encounter, wants to see Newcastle enjoy a similar turnaround in fortunes before another year is regarded as a failure come May.

"You can't deny that we are heading for another season of under-achievement," said Given. "We have to improve but we have got two thirds of the season to go.

"We have got to improve because it's not good enough for a club of this size and stature. We need to get back into Europe, we miss Europe.

"If we get some of our players back who knows? If we get everyone fit, I don't see why we can't go on a charge. Look at Liverpool, six weeks ago everyone said they were under-achieving and I looked at them before kick-off and they were second in the league. They have strung a run of victories together. But we know we have a big game next week with Arsenal and that will be tough."

Prior to Saturday's game the Newcastle squad had all been made aware of the speculation that failure to turn in a much-improved performance - after the midweek defeat to Wigan in the Carling Cup - could leave manager Graeme Souness facing the sack.

And, although Newcastle never really hit top gear, they battled their way through and could have taken maximum points had it not been for some calamity defending from Titus Bramble.

"Pressure is only a word, you have just got to do your job, regardless of the situation of the talk that is being done about our situation," said Given.

"Confidence isn't sky high with losing three in a row and it was very important that we took something. The dressing room was OK afterwards I suppose. But it was disappointing also because we let the lead slip late on. We were one up, so there's mixed minds in amongst us."

With Michael Owen still a doubt for Arsenal's visit and Emre unlikely to be back for a couple of weeks at least, Souness looks like being unable to field his strongest team for some time.

The news Kieron Dyer is to spend another week at the British Olympic Medical Institute in a bid to solve his problems is also hampering selection problems.

But, even so, Given is of the opinion Newcastle should still have a squad capable of forcing themselves back into the top six of the Premiership at least.

"I don't think the squad feels like we are muddling through," said Given. "We felt that we could have won the game on Saturday and that's with whatever team we put out. If we wait for players, like Kieron Dyer, we could be waiting all season because he has been injured for so long.

"We have to dig deep. In an ideal world we would have all our players fit and you would see our real team, but other teams are the same and we have got to get on with it."

Souness did reveal he hopes to see Owen return against the Gunners on Saturday, although that is far from certain.

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