MANCHESTER CITY were last night considering their next move in the pursuit of goalkeeper Shay Given after finding Newcastle in no mood to cave into the demands of the world’s richest club.

Despite Given’s determination to leave St James’ Park before next Monday’s transfer deadline, Newcastle plan to fly down to Manchester this morning with both Given and understudy Steve Harper in their squad.

The two clubs meet tonight at the City of Manchester Stadium and it is difficult to see how Given can be in the right frame of mind with his future still very much in doubt.

Harper – outlining a desire to become the club’s No. 1 – yesterday signed a new threeyear contract to stay at Newcastle, suggesting the Magpies are willing to sell Given at the right price.

But after discussions between the Irishman’s lawyer Michael Kennedy, Newcastle owner Mike Ashley, managing director Derek Llambias and manager Joe Kinnear ended without a suitable conclusion on Monday night, it is unclear what the next development will be.

Magpies chiefs feel Given is worth considerably more than the offers City have made to date – the latest around £8m.

Newcastle feel their golakeeper is worth between what City paid Chelsea for Wayne Bridge (£12m) and West Ham for Craig Bellamy (£14m).

An agreement could be reached before tonight’s Premier League fixture but Kinnear is continuing to plan ahead with both Given and Harper available for selection.

“I don’t know what the likelihood of Shay being sold is,”

said Newcastle’s assistant manager Chris Hughton.

“Unless I’m told otherwise I’m under the impression Shay is very much playing, training, in the squad and available and that will be how it is.”

Having convinced Harper to pen a new deal that keeps him at St James’ Park until the summer of 2012, it would seem a decent opportunity to cash in on Given.

There is a lack of transfer funds available to Kinnear for the remainder of this week and he has been unable to match the £10m price-tag on Rennes’ defensive midfielder Stephane M’bia.

But Newcastle, whose only signing this month has been former Rangers winger Peter Lovenkrands, are still hoping to use £3.5m of their £8m budget on Toulouse rightback Albin Ebondo.

“I’m not aware of a fee being agreed, but there’s an interest, and he’s one we’d like to bring in,” said Hughton.

But if Newcastle were to receive £10m or more for Given, Kinnear would suddenly be in a stronger position in terms of recruitment before the February 2 deadline.

Kinnear was a notable absentee from the training ground yesterday because he had to attend a hearing in York over the two charges levelled against him by the FA since joining the club.

He escaped with a fine of £500 for calling match official Martin Atkinson a “Mickey Mouse referee” after the defeat at Fulham in November.

The regulatory commission, however, felt they could not prove his other charge, which was using abusive and insulting words towards a match official during the 2-2 draw with Stoke in December.

Kinnear – who still faces the threat of a ban for his touchline feud with Hull’s Phil Brown 11 days ago – will fly with the rest of the squad this morning, when he is expected to inform Joey Barton that he will be in the team to face his former employers.

It will be the first time Barton has played against City since Sam Allardyce paid £5.8m for him in August 2007 and he is expected to be given a rough ride by home fans.

“Joey will be grateful he’s fit and up for selection,” said Hughton, who confirmed Obafemi Martins will resume training soon after hernia surgery.

Newcastle probable line-up (4-4-2): Harper, Taylor, Coloccini, Bassong, Enrique, Gutierrez, Geremi, Barton, N’Zogbia, Owen, Duff.