Given to return for cup replay

Goalkeeper Shay Given is expected to return to Manchester City’s starting line-up in Tuesday’s FA Cup third round replay against Leicester City.

It will be the Irish international’s first senior appearance in a month but manager Roberto Mancini is quick to point out that Joe Hart remains his preferred custodian.

Shunted down to second choice because of Hart’s impressive form, the former Newcastle man is keen to leave City and reignite his career.

Yet Mancini has warned Given it is not certain such a move will be granted.

“It is not a simple position,” Mancini told the Manchester Evening News.

“You can change the other players every game but the goalkeeper is different.

“That is the only reason why Shay has not played so often because he is a fantastic goalkeeper.”

City will only allow Given, 34, to leave if they find a replacement first, with Coventry City’s Keiren Westwood, a former City reserve and now Given’s understudy for the Republic of Ireland national team, among the options.

The City boss has not exactly made life easier for Given by opting not to select him when opportunities have arisen.

His last senior appearance was on December 16 in the Europa League tie with Juventus, which ended 1-1.

Veteran midfielder Patrick Vieira is in a similar situation, having started just two Premier League games all season but eight in cup competitions.

Vieira is one of a number of fringe players Mancini is preparing to introduce against Sven-Goran Eriksson’s Championship outfit as City look to confirm a fourth-round trip to Notts County.

“Patrick Vieira is an important member of our squad,” Mancini said.

“He is a good player, who has lots of experience. He will probably play, along with Jerome Boateng, James Milner, David Silva, Jo and Joleon Lescott. We have other players that we can win this game.”

“I don’t like this replay because we have a lot of matches to play until the end of the season already.”

“But we want to win because we want to get to Wembley. For me, that is very important.”