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Newcastle United manager Joe Kinnear has denied that keeper Shay Given will be leaving St. James’ Park during the January transfer window.

Given had been linked with both Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur in recent days but Kinnear aims to hold on to his key players for the second half of the season, he told The Journal.

“He won’t be leaving – he has no interest in that whatsoever. He loves the football club,” Kinnear said.

“He’s part of the city and that suits us because he’s a world-class goalkeeper. He’s very happy here, he’s very comfortable at Newcastle United.

Given attracted more interest after his good performance against Liverpool on Sunday. The Magpies did lose 5-1 but things could have been much worse if it wasn’t for the goalie.

“Shay’s performance against Liverpool was brilliant and that got picked up. But ask the Geordie fans and I think they already know how good he is. They know their football, so to be one of their favorites says it all about how good he is.

“He’s the best goalkeeper in the Premier League by a mile,” the coach concluded.

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