SAM Allardyce has urged Shay Given to remain patient as he attempts to dislodge Steve Harper from Newcastle's starting line-up, but the Magpies manager has admitted the Republic of Ireland international is no longer the club's undisputed number one.

Given lost his place in the side when he suffered a groin injury in August's pre-season friendly with Juventus and, despite regaining full fitness midway through last month, he found himself relegated to the substitutes' bench for successive Premier League matches against Middlesbrough and Wigan.

After ten successful seasons at St James' Park, the 31-year-old is unaccustomed to playing second fiddle, and when he was asked about his future during last week's international break, Given admitted he would have to consider his position if he was forced to endure a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Having previously submitted a transfer request in January 2001, there have been suggestions that the Irishman could resort to such a drastic measure for a second time.

When asked to consider the possibility in the build-up to Monday's Premier League game at Derby, Allardyce claimed "we'll cross that bridge when we come to it", but his composed response masked a burning desire to retain one of the most highly-rated shot-stoppers in the Premier League.

Nevertheless, Allardyce remains adamant that Given cannot assume a position of primacy, particularly when Harper has kept two clean sheets in his last three games.

"It's very good to have two quality keepers fighting for one place," said the Newcastle boss, who also faces a selection headache at the other end of the field as Michael Owen and Obafemi Martins battle for the right to partner Mark Viduka.

"Steve Harper has not put a foot wrong in the games he's played - we're undefeated and he's had two clean sheets.

"Shay did very well against Barnsley (in the Carling Cup), but he didn't have a lot to do. He kept a clean sheet, but didn't get selected for the next game because of Steve's good form.

"Shay wasn't happy because he wants to play in every game, but he had two games to play for Ireland, Steve wasn't playing for England, so Shay had a rest. It's my job to decide between the two of them."

Harper deputised for Given on more than 20 occasions last season as his rival struggled with a recurring groin problem and a ruptured spleen.

The 32-year-old knows all about the frustrations of being a number two, having spent the best part of a decade in Given's shadow, but his quality and reliability have rarely been in question despite his limited opportunities in the first team.

With the likes of Chris Kirkland and Robert Green having won England caps in the last three years, Harper's inactivity has arguably cost him an international call-up.

But rather than viewing the North-Easterner's reluctance to leave Tyneside as a lack of ambition, Allardyce feels it simply underlines his commitment to the club that has nurtured him from an early age.

"Steve may have come close to England if he'd played regular first-team football," he said. "Some people may say he should have moved on, but you can't argue with his patience.

"He made his decision, he obviously loves this football club and he's enjoyed his time here. He got his chance when Shay got injured and, at the moment, he's playing really, really well."

So well, of course, that Given is pondering his position, although the Irishman is not the only Newcastle player to have been dragged into a debate over his future in recent days.

Steven Taylor's father and agent, Alf, recently confirmed his son had turned down the club's offer of a new contract because of a disagreement over money.

Newcastle officials are expected to hold further talks later this month in an attempt to reach an agreement, but with new owner Mike Ashley keen to keep the club's wage bill at a manageable level, a compromise could prove difficult to broker.

"We'd really like to sort Steven's situation out, along with those of one or two other players," said Allardyce. "Unfortunately, his father has gone public with it, which we'd rather he'd not done, but we don't want to get into a slagging argument.

"We think we've made Steven a very good offer but he obviously doesn't agree.

"We have to try to resolve it. If we can, fine. But if we can't we can't, it's as simple as that."