GOALKEEPER Shay Given has been told he must stay with Newcastle United and knuckle down to win back the No 1 spot.

The Republic of Ireland international yesterday received written confirmation of the board's decision to reject his shock transfer request.

A disillusioned Given slapped in the demand after losing his place to Steve Harper.

But manager Bobby Robson, stunned by Given's actions, revealed: "The transfer request has been turned down.

"I would expect him to react like a professional and accept it and get on with serving this club on the contract he signed. I would hope he would knuckle down and get on with his job.''

However, Robson admitted that the situation could change if Given ultimately fails to dislodge Harper, who has kept his place for the last five games.

Robson brought in the Easington-born keeper when Given suffered a thigh injury in the 2-0 defeat at Derby two days before Christmas, and the United boss stressed: "If the situation persists, where Shay is second choice for a long time and it's totally unacceptable to him, then at some later stage I would understand his position.

"But, at present, we have to run a tight ship and we can't afford to let people like Shay go. Players are on contracts and they have to honour them. They have to like it or lump it.

"We know Shay's qualities. He's a top keeper and we have great admiration for him - that's why we gave him a four-year contract.

"We knew the Bosman ruling would come into play in a year's time, and we could have kissed him goodbye.

"But we didn't want to do that. The board respected my wishes, I fought for Shay and the board responded to that with a new deal.

"Now, the manager and the board think it's time for him to give us something in return.

"He was placed as our No 1 without any guarantee, and Steve hasn't let us down. We beat Leeds, drew with Manchester United, and everybody who played in those games came out with a lot of credit. Steve was part of that.

"The club has to have two outstanding keepers and we have them in Shay and Steve. They've proved it this season.''

Given said last night: ''As I got on the team coach for the midlands I was handed a letter from the chairman saying that the board had turned down my transfer request.

''To be perfectly honest, I am pleased to know where I stand. My intention was simply to express my frustration at being left out of the team after I had missed the Leeds United game through injury.

''As I pledged at the time, I am 100 per cent committed to Newcastle United and am as much a part of the team now as ever before. I have been training hard and am determined to win back both my place in the team and my excellent relationship with the fans.''

Harper will again be United's last line of defence tonight when they visit Aston Villa for an FA Cup third-round replay.

Nolberto Solano salvaged a draw for the Magpies at St James' Park ten days ago after Geordie Steve Stone threatened to end their cup ambitions.

But key men Solano and Kieron Dyer are suspended and Robson is relieved to have Kevin Gallacher available again after over 12 weeks out with hamstring and calf trouble.

Dyer is banned for two matches, which also rules him out of Saturday's trip to Leeds.

But the England starlet could be out longer depending on the results of a bone scan yesterday to determine the extent of a shin splints problem.

Midfielder Dyer has been playing an emergency strike role in the absence of Alan Shearer and Carl Cort, and Robson said: "Kieron has been as lethal as any striker in the country - he's been what Kevin Phillips is to Sunderland and what Teddy Sheringham is to Man United.''

Dyer misses out on an early chance to impress new England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson, who will be at tonight's game.

But former England boss Robson, forced to pull out of a meeting with Eriksson next Monday because of other business, said: "He'll have other opportunities to see Kieron.''

With Dyer and Solano unavailable, Robson could turn to winger Stephen Glass - who hasn't started a game since early September - to provide flair and ammunition.

Full-back Andy Griffin will return with a view to repeating his shackling job on former United star David Ginola, after being rested for Saturday's home game against Coventry.

On-loan wing-back Wayne Quinn, who made his debut in the 3-1 win, is ineligible.

Newcastle (from): Harper, Griffin, Goma, Hughes, Marcelino, Barton, Bassedas, Speed, Acuna, Gallacher, Ameobi, Cordone, Lualua, Glass, Gavilan, Given, S Caldwell.

Meanwhile, Shearer began running again yesterday, three weeks after knee surgery for tendinitis.

Robson is encouraged by his skipper's progress, but said: "We can forget about Alan for at least another month. It may be the same for Cort, but his hamstring is improving.'