Shay Given pleads with Mancini for January move from Manchester City

Shay Given has begged Roberto Mancini to let him leave Manchester City during January's transfer window.

Ireland's most capped player has again pleaded with his boss to release him from his contract. Given has lost his place as number one goalkeeper at Manchester City to English goalie Joe Hart and has only been in the starting line-up three times this season so far.

He made a rare appearance during the week when City beat Salzburg 3-0.

"It's frustrating when you don't play and I've played my whole career so it is tough," the Irish Daily Star reports Given as saying.

"I don't know what City are thinking, but from a personal level even to go on loan for a few months to be playing again would be good because I do miss the buzz from that."

The pleas may fall on deaf ears, however, as the Salzburg win means that City are through to the knockout stages of the Europa League.

As a result, they will be competing on three fronts in the New Year, which in turn means that Mancini will be wanting to retain Given on call as cover for Hart.