KEVIN Keegan says that Shay Given could be back in action within three weeks but admits that the Irish stopper may need a minor operation during the summer.

The 31-year-old is currently sidelined with a groin problem and will miss Saturday's clash with Blackburn Rovers at St.James' Park.

But the United boss is expecting to see Given resume training within the next ten days.

"Shay should be fit to train again within a week to ten days," he told Newcastle World TV.

"After that hopefully he will put himself back up for selection within the next two to three weeks.

"He's going to see another specialist and may well need a minor operation at some stage in the close season.

"It's been a problem that niggling him but it's nothing major and both him and I think it may be sooner than that because he is a quick healer."

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