NORTH East giants Newcastle and Sunderland are about to come under starter's orders in the race for Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper Shay Given.

The Republic of Ireland keeper will become one of the game's hottest properties when the season ends in three weeks time.

And, while Sunderland reckon they have a head start because of the successful loan stint Given spent at Roker Park last season, there are major reasons to suggest Newcastle will emerge as red-hot favourites.

Sunderland are still fighting for their Premiership lives. If they were to be relegated, it's difficult to see Given rejoining them.

And Newcastle boss Kenny Dalglish is also the man who signed the keeper at Ewood.

Contacts in the North East claim that both clubs feel they are in the driving seat but there are also suggestions that a deal has been done and dusted on Tyneside and it is only a matter of time before he brings an end to their urgent search for a top-class keeper.

Time has almost run out for Rovers who have done their utmost to persuade the young Irishman - he celebrates his 21st birthday tomorrow - to sign a new contract at Ewood.

Understandably, he wants first team football and that is the reason he has declined the offers.

Given's international prospects also depend on being a first team regular, as Irish boss Mick McCarthy has made it clear he won't be picking reserve team players.

Rovers can expect a substantial fee for the player, especially if there is something of an auction.

But it could yet have to go tribunal and, in the not-too-distant future, it looks as though transfer fees will no longer apply anyway to out-of-contract stars.

At the moment, players moving abroad can go for free and there have been proposals recently that a similar situation should be introduced domestically.

Whatever the outcome of the Given situation, it is unlikely that Rovers will make any moves for Roker central defender Richard Ord.

Newspaper specualtion linked them with a £2 million bid for the 28-year-old but there is no evidence of any substance to the story.

Rovers sources denied interest and Ord recently signed a new long-term contract with his hometown club.

Meanwhile, I can reveal that Jason Wilcox has not been fined by Rovers, following the gesture he made to supporters who were barracking him last Saturday.

I believe the club were ready to hand out a fine under their internal disciplinary system but that, after lengthy talks with the player, Tony Parkes decided it would not be appropriate in this case.

"I didn't see the incident but Jason has told me he made a gesture and he has apologised for that," said Parkes, who now regards the matter as closed.

The caretaker-manager has asked the fans to back Wilcox, who has stated his intentions of considering his future in summer.

For the moment he aims to concentrate on helping Rovers stay in the Premiership.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.