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Three months out for City keeper Given

Shay Given missed the end of last season after dislocating his shoulder against Arsenal © Getty Images

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Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given could have played his last game for the club after the club confirmed he is facing an extended spell on the sidelines to deal with a long-standing shoulder problem.

Given, 34, injured his shoulder in the warm-up ahead of City's Europa League game at Aris Salonika last week, less than 12 months after a discocation of the same joint curtailed his 2009-10 season and ultimately contributed to Joe Hart replacing him as the club's No. 1.

The Ireland goalkeeper was examined by a specialist in London on Wednesday and the club have confirmed he will be sidelined for three months - with an operation set to be carried out.

"Shay has this problem in his shoulder and it will be three months out," manager Roberto Mancini said. "It is the same shoulder he hurt last season and we think it will need an operation."

And as the former Newcastle custodian is expected to leave Eastlands in the summer, having become disillusioned with life as a City substitute, it would appear that he will not play for Mancini's side again.

Former City manager Mark Hughes is reportedly ready to offer the veteran a chance at Fulham, while Celtic are another club believed to be interested in the Irishman's services.

News of Given's injury is also a big blow for Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni, who will need to find a suitable No. 1 for Euro 2012 qualifiers against Macedonia next month and possibly in June.

City will have Stuart Taylor as their substitute goalkeeper for the Europe League second leg against Aris on Thursday, but Mancini may be tempted to recall either David Gonzalez or Gunnar Nielsen, who are on loan at Leeds and Tranmere respectively.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.