Mark Hughes Salutes Manchester City Goalkeeper Shay Given

By Andrew Southwick

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes says goalkeeper Shay Given can cope with his World Cup agony.

Republic of Ireland number one Given led the protests on Wednesday after Thierry Henry's handball helped France snatch a place in South Africa next summer.

Hughes can sympathise, having been part of the Wales side that lost out on the 1994 World Cup because of Paul Bodin's missed penalty.

Then after, as manager, Wales lost a play-off to Russia and failed to qualify for Euro 2004, with Russian midfielder Yegor Titov failing a drugs test shortly afterwards.

"It is not easy as a player or manager to miss out in the last match. Sometimes you feel aggrieved, sometimes you just weren't quite good enough," he told the Press Association.

"I had it when we lost to Russia and then one of their players failed a drugs test.

"We took it a long way but the longer it went on, the more we realised we wouldn't get the verdict.

"At least Shay doesn't have that hanging over him. It is done now.

"The only way you put that bitter disappointment behind you is by playing exceptionally well at club level, and Shay will do that because he's a top professional."

Hughes also says Given should not give up hope of one day playing in the World Cup.

"It is all a little bit raw for Shay at the moment," said Hughes.

"The decision has been made and he has lost the opportunity of this World Cup, which is a shame.

"But it is not over for him. He has to stay clear of injury but I can see him being the Irish goalkeeper for many years after this World Cup. He's a fit guy who works exceptionally hard.

"If he continues to keep up his current levels, there is no reason why he can't be around for the next two World Cups."