Given braced for Hungary test

Shay Given believes that Ireland’s friendly in Hungary on Monday is an important stepping stone towards Euro 2012 for his side.

With Ireland’s opening game against Croatia in Poznan less than a week away, the Aston Villa goalkeeper is looking for a confidence-boosting win in Budapest.

“I think it’s important. Obviously the big game is next Sunday and we would like to go into that game with a win under our belts,” Given told RTE.

“Hungary had a very good result on Friday so they are obviously a very good team.

“We don’t know a lot of their players and they are at home as well, so it will be a tough game for us.

“It is just about us keeping our match fitness up. It’s important that we all put a good shift in.”

Despite some concerns over his knee injury, Given insists he is fully recovered and said the blisters that kept him out of training on Saturday are a minor irritation.

“It’s just nice to be out there again. Yesterday I had a problem with my two big toes. I have blisters on my two big toes,” he said.

“I just felt it was better to leave it yesterday because I could train today and I feel fine now.

“I’m just looking forward to getting playing again. It’s been a couple of weeks since the Premier League. I didn’t play in Dublin or in Italy during the week, so it’ll be nice to get a game under my belt before Sunday.”