SHAY Given fears he may have to leave Ewood Park to safeguard his international future.

The outstanding young Republic of Ireland goalkeeper has had talks with Blackburn Rovers over a new contract.

And he stressed today: "If I could get first team football at Blackburn, I would sign without any problems."

But, with England's Tim Flowers standing in the way of a regular spot in the Premiership at the moment, talks are in deadlock - and Given's present contract expires at the end of the season.

It's an unfortunate situation for both the player, who is happy with Rovers, and the club, who want to keep him.

But the 20-year-old, who broke through to take the Irish goalkeeping jersey on the back of an impressive three-month loan spell at Sunderland, revealed that he could lose his international spot if he remains number two at Ewood. "Mick McCarthy has told me I need to be playing regular first team football," he said.

"I have spoken to the club and told them I need to be playing.

"That's why I haven't signed and we'll just have to wait and see what happens."

Sunderland boss Peter Reid was desperate to sign Given at the end of last season and made a seven-figure bid for him.

It was rejected and so too was a second attempt to prise Given away. Signed on a free transfer from Celtic, the keeper has emerged as a star in the making, but he will become a free agent at the end of the season unless Rovers can persuade him to accept a new one. If he moved to another English club, Rovers would still get a fee. But if he went abroad, he could go for nothing under the Bosman ruling.

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