SHAY GIVEN has played down talk of a move to Spain by insisting talks are continuing with Newcastle United over a new deal.

Such is the high-regard for Given's goalkeeping ability, he has been regularly tipped to move on this year because of the Magpies' continued starvation of silverware.

That long-wait for a trophy looks no nearer to ending, with only an unpredictable FA Cup push for glory the only realistic possibility.

And, with just 16 months remaining on his existing deal, the speculation to his future has grown in recent months, with the most reoccurring suggestion touting him for a move to La Liga.

Given's agent, Michael Kennedy, held talks in December with chairman Freddy Shepherd about the possibility of extending his stay at St James' Park.

However, nothing to date has been signed as Given waits to see whether there are encouraging signs that the club's wait for honours could be over in the not too distant future.

"I saw the reports about Spain, but I'm not sure where they came from," Given said. "I think I did an interview about a year or so ago, saying I might fancy a couple of years in Spain, and it's obviously been brought up again because I only have months left on my contract.

"I'm in talks about my contract at the moment, so we'll see how that goes and hopefully it will be sorted so I can stay here for a long time."

Given was signed by Kenny Dalglish in 1997 for £1.5m, a price-tag that has proven to be one of the biggest bargains in Premiership history.

The 29-year-old has been one of the club's most consistent performers since arriving from Blackburn when he opted for Tyneside instead of a switch to Wearside, where he had shone on loan at Sunderland a year earlier.

But he has not penned a deal since agreeing new terms after the World Cup in 2002 and Newcastle have to act quickly to ensure they are not left with the difficult task of finding a replacement.

If Given is to sign then it is fair to assume Newcastle will have to show more ambition than signing a player they have most recently been linked with.

Former Liverpool defender Gregory Vignal is the latest in a long line of names to have been mentioned as a possible free signing as manager Graeme Souness looks to strengthen his squad on the cheap.

Reports in France claim Souness sees Vignal as a solution to the left-back problem that he is faced with because of Celestine Babayaro's proneness to injuries.

Now Vignal, who struggled to make an impact during spells at Liverpool and Rangers, is one man likely to be moved on at Portsmouth by manager Harry Redknapp.

Souness, who would prefer to beat Tottenham in the race to sign Wayne Bridge in that position from Chelsea, knows he needs fresh faces in his squad to help cope with an incredible injury list.

Michael Owen, Scott Parker, Kieron Dyer, Steven Taylor and Craig Moore are all still missing, while Amdy Faye is away on international duty with Senegal at the Africa Nations Cup.

Lee Bowyer is available again after serving a three-match ban for tomorrow's trip to Fulham, but he is one man who could be on his way if an exchange deal can be struck with Charlton for Danny Murphy.

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