Given ruled out for month

Aston Villa goalkeeper Shay Given is set to be sidelined for a month after scans showed a tear to his left hamstring.

The Republic of Ireland international pulled up holding his hamstring in the 1-0 English Premier League loss to Manchester United on Sunday after chasing a ball out of play.

It means US international Brad Guzan – who replaced Given on the 22-minute mark against United – will again take over for the veteran between the sticks, starting with Villa’s trip to the Reebok Stadium to face Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.

“It is disappointing to lose Shay in such circumstances but, unfortunately, these things happen in football,” Villa manager Alex McLeish told his club’s official website.

“We have to meet these challenges and we will. We have total faith in Brad who, as I said after the game against Manchester United on Saturday, can be proud of the way he stepped in when Shay had to come off.”

“We will need within the football club for everybody to stick together and that strength of unity will help massively.”

Villa are also waiting on scan results for on-loan Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas, who was stretchered off in the same game with a potential Achilles injury.