SHAY Given goes up against his former club at St James' Park tomorrow aiming to improve on an amazing record.

The man behind Newcastle United's much-maligned defence has more clean sheets so far this season than any other keeper in the Premiership.

Last Saturday's shut-out against Charlton Athletic at The Valley meant that Given has kept 12 clean sheets in the league this season - one more than Liverpool's Jerzy Dudek.

And this after not so long ago United had the worst defence in the Premiership away from St James' Park.

Given, who was at Blackburn between 1994 and 1997, today said: "To tell the truth I didn't realise that we had managed to keep so many clean sheets and it would be nice to keep it going tomorrow against my old team.

"We took a bit of stick early in the season for the number of goals we had leaked away from home, but it's always unfair to single the goalkeeping and the back four out for any criticism.

"I always say that we defend as a team and that's what is happening now. Indeed, one of the reasons for our good defensive record lately is the way Alan Shearer and Craig Bellamy are closing people down at the other end of the field."

Given is the only United player to have started every Premiership game this season and he has been on the field for every minute of the action.

And tomorrow will be his 82nd consecutive appearance for United in the Premiership which is more than any other player.

Gary Speed will make his 375th Premiership appearance tomorrow to cement his position as the most experienced player in the top flight.