When Shay Given arrives at St James' Park on Saturday night to work as part of TNT Sports' coverage of Newcastle United's FA Cup fifth round clash with Manchester City, you could excuse him for having split loyalties.

After all, the former Republic of Ireland international goalkeeper played for both clubs during his storied career across the Premier League.

But it was with Newcastle that he cemented himself as a club legend, with his 354 Premier League appearances still the most of any Magpies player by quite a distance. It is, therefore, with Eddie Howe's side where his loyalties still lie to this day and he has shared the same frustration as the rest of the Toon Army with the inconsistent nature of this season.

United have reached the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup and will play Champions League knockout football for the first time in their history (although they reached the last 16 when it was a group stage in 2003) when they take on Barcelona on Tuesday evening.

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Their Premier League...