The Manchester City star’s recovery from surgery has gone to plan and he is currently away with his team-mates on their pre-season tour of the USA.

Given’s place in the City XI next term was thought to be under threat following the emergence of Joe Hart, who caught the eye last term on loan at Birmingham City.

But the former Newcastle stalwart insists he has no intention of fading away from the first-team picture as he looks to give Blues boss Roberto Mancini a massive selection headache.

Given told the Daily Mirror: “I saw the specialist last week, he was delighted with it and he told me to kick on with the rehab work.

“If it keeps progressing the way it is then I’m hoping to be playing before we leave America.

“By the second last game or the last game I should be in with a shout of playing and I’m definitely looking to be ready for the start of the new season.”

City kick off the new Premier League season with a trip to Tottenham while Given will also hope to be involved when the Republic of Ireland kick off their Euro 2012 qualification campaign away against Armenia on September 3.

Prior to the new season, Giovanni Trapattoni’s men take on Argentina in a friendly game on August 11 to mark the opening of the new Aviva Stadium which used to be known as Lansdowne Road prior to its redevelopment.

Trapattoni will be determined to make sure his side gives qualifying for Euro 2012 their best shot following their World Cup 2010 play-off heartbreak against France thanks to Thierry Henry’s infamous handball (Ireland 80/1 – Euro 2012 Outright).

But one player who will not be on board is injury-plagued West Brom midfielder Steven Reid who has retired from international football.

Reid said: “I wish the squad every success for the forthcoming European Championship qualifiers and thank the players, the backroom team and the management for their help, support and friendship over the past nine years.

“I would also like to say a massive thank you to all the Irish fans for their support. They always got behind me and it was an honour to represent them.”

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Shay Given

The big-spending outfit are entering their third season under the ownership of the mega-rich Abu Dhabi United Group and have so far managed to win nothing.

Last season the club missed out on qualifying for the Champions League by a nose as Tottenham pipped them to fourth place after a long battle between City, Spurs, Liverpool and Aston Villa.

Despite failing to make it into the Champions League, City have still managed to attract some top talent as they look to bolster their squad for another charge at the top four.

Already in Roberto Mancini’s squad for next season is Germany (11/5 outright World Cup winners) international defender Jerome Boateng, Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Toure and Spanish star David Silva.

Those three have already cost the club £60m but that hasn’t stopped City looking at bringing in further players with the likes of Fernando Torres, Mario Balotelli and Lukas Podolski all linked with moves to Eastlands.

The club are determined to turn City into a dominant force in the Premier League and are likely to keep investing over the summer even if they have to turn their attentions away from the three previous mentioned players.

While getting into a Champions League spot will be a minimum requirement for City this season, Given is already talking up potentially challenging for the title as he now believes the club has the squad to cope with the task.

“We’re at the point where the club has invested so much and the manager understands and knows that the pressure is on to get results and trophies,” Given told The Sun.

“City have the backing to challenge the top teams in England and even in Europe in years to come.

“I don’t want to say we are going into the league to finish fourth.

“We are going in to win it and if we don’t, the next thing will be the top four.”

Last season City finished 19 points off eventual champions Chelsea but could close the gap if they can get their top stars functioning as a team.

Given went on to say that he felt despite all the big names now at Eastlands the squad morale wouldn’t suffer and felt City’s nucleus of players would keep things happy.

Manchester City will be looking to make a good start to the season but begin their Premier League campaign with a tough run of fixtures, starting away at Tottenham (5/4 to beat City) before facing Liverpool at home and Sunderland away.

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