Newcastle rocked by Given injury

Keeper Given also suffered injury problems last season

Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given will miss the start of the Premier League season, which kicks off on Saturday.

The 31-year-old Republic of Ireland star limped out of the friendly against Sampdoria with a groin injury and was sent to a specialist in London.

Boss Sam Allardyce said: "He has been for a scan and it does not look serious, it's just a slight strain.

"At the moment we only expect him to be out for a couple of weeks but we won't take any risks."

Given is likely to miss the Republic of Ireland's friendly against Denmark on 22 August.

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Newcastle begin the new campaign at Bolton on Saturday and Michael Owen is also set to miss that game.

Allardyce has revealed his "bitter disappointment" at the England striker's inability to take part in most of the club's pre-season friendlies.

A thigh injury picked up during shooting practice last month has left the 27-year-old on the sidelines.