Premiership Keeper News: Kirkland warned over Reds future

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has told goalkeeper Chris Kirkland he will have to leave the club if he wants regular first-team football.

Kirkland, 24, who is on loan at West Brom, is out of action for the rest of the season with a broken finger.

Benitez said: "It is difficult because he is a good keeper, but with Jose Reina, Jerzy Dudek and Scott Carson here, playing will not be easy for him.

"We will talk with him and his agent to find a solution. He needs games."

Kirkland joined Liverpool for £6m in 2001 and has been tipped as a potential future England international.

He has featured in England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson's squads but is yet to make his debut and has been held back by a succession of injuries.

Premiership Keeper News: Lehmann kept guessing by Germany

Bayern Munich goalkeeper Oliver Kahn and Arsenal's Jens Lehmann must wait until May before they are told who will start for Germany in the World Cup.

Kahn expects to edge out Lehmann to the starting line-up but general manager Oliver Bierhoff said boss Jurgen Klinsmann has yet to make his mind up.

"The battle (between Kahn and Lehmann) is very tight," Bierhoff told a German television channel DSF.

"We will come together and reflect on the issue calmly before deciding."
A fierce rivalry has built up between the two goalkeepers since Klinsmann became Germany coach in 2004.

Premiership Keeper News: Lehmann kept guessing by Germany

Bayern Munich goalkeeper Oliver Kahn and Arsenal's Jens Lehmann must wait until May before they are told who will start for Germany in the World Cup.

Kahn expects to edge out Lehmann to the starting line-up but general manager Oliver Bierhoff said boss Jurgen Klinsmann has yet to make his mind up.

"The battle (between Kahn and Lehmann) is very tight," Bierhoff told a German television channel DSF.

"We will come together and reflect on the issue calmly before deciding."
A fierce rivalry has built up between the two goalkeepers since Klinsmann became Germany coach in 2004.

Premiership Keeper News: Martyn faces new fears for future

Nigel Martyn faces fears for his Everton future after the goalkeeper was ruled out for at least six weeks with a hairline fracture of his ankle.

The 39-year-old has already been out since January after ankle surgery and has now suffered a new setback.

Martyn is out of contract at the end of the season and Everton boss David Moyes says no new talks will open until then.

He told the club website: "I hope Nigel has not played his last game for us. He has done great for us."

Source: BBC Sport

Premiership Keeper News: McClaren praises heroic Schwarzer

Manager Steve McClaren praised goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer for helping Middlesbrough reach the last eight of the Uefa Cup at the expense of Roma.

The 33-year-old made a string of saves, the best being when he denied Daniele De Rossi and Alessandro Mancini.

"In defining moments, Mark made vital saves at the right time and that is what we needed," said McClaren.

"He kept a clean sheet at the Riverside, which more or less put us in the driving seat and won us this tie."

You can read the full interview on the BBC Sport website

Premiership Keeper News: Flinders given trial at Wigan

Wigan are giving a trial to Barnsley goalkeeper Scott Flinders.

The 19-year-old broke into the Reds first-team in March 2005 but has been limited to just eight appearances for the Oakwell club this season.

Barnsley manager Andy Ritchie told the club website: "Scott will go and train with Wigan until Thursday.

"It is the same arrangement as when he went down to train with Chelsea earlier this season and now Wigan will have a have a closer at him this week."

Source: BBC Sport

Interview: Robert Green - Norwich & England

Norwich goalkeeper Robert Green is hoping to get his gloves on a place in Sven-Goran Eriksson's squad for this summer's World Cup.

The highly rated 26 year old has been involved in the England squad since being called up in March 2004 for the friendly against Sweden.

A string of fine performances for his club won him a substitute's appearance against Colombia during last year's summer tour and the Norwich stopper was included in Sven's latest squad for the 2-1 win over Uruguay - the last friendly before the Head Coach names his squad for Germany.

You can read the full interview on TheFA.com or watch video of Robert Green and Paul Robinson here

Premiership Keeper News: Roy Carroll out for 6 weeks

West Ham goalkeeper Roy Carroll faces a six-week lay-off after undergoing surgery on a back problem.

The 28-year-old has played just three times in 2006.

"He's had his operation. He's bored but in good spirits and looking forward to coming back. We think that will take six weeks," said Alan Pardew.

Jimmy Walker is back in action for the reserves following a serious knee injury and will be competing soon with Shaka Hislop for a place, said Pardew.

"Jimmy Walker is coming right back into shape and will start putting pressure on soon."

Source: BBC Sport

Premiership Keeper News: Myhre looks for long Valley stay

Veteran Charlton Athletic goalkeeper Thomas Myhre hopes to earn himself an extended stay at The Valley.

The 32-year-old Norwegian arrived in south-east London initially on a one-year contract in August, after being unable to agree a new deal with Sunderland and then spending a brief spell at Fredrikstad in his homeland.

Myhre was expected to offer only experienced cover to Addicks boss Alan Curbishley, who had to start the season with young Dane Stephan Andersen because former first-choice Dean Kiely was out injured.

But, after agreeing an 18-month extension to his contract, Myhre found himself elevated into the first team for the Boxing Day clash with Arsenal after a poor run of form by the Addicks.

Read more at PremierLeague.com

Interview: Shay Given - Newcastle & Republic of Ireland

Disappointed Given supports Keane

Newcastle United keeper Shay Given has admitted he was disappointed not to be made Republic of Ireland skipper but has backed Robbie Keane's appointment.

New manager Steve Staunton plumped for Keane, capped 64 times, to take over from the retired Kenny Cunningham.

Staunton felt it would be better to have an outfield skipper with Given taking up the vice-captaincy role.

"You would be disappointed if you were not selected," said Given, earning his 75th cap against Sweden on Wednesday.

"I have still a big part to play, which is probably why he gave me the vice-captaincy role."

Given, not wishing any ill will on Keane, is looking forward to the moment when he is captain - no matter how fleeting.

You can find the full Shay Given Interview at the BBC Sport website