NEW boy Andy O'Brien is in line to make a timely debut for Newcastle United against former club Bradford City at Valley Parade tomorrow.

The Republic of Ireland Under-21 defender, who joined United ahead of last week's transfer deadline in a £2m deal, is standing by to step in for the injured Aaron Hughes.

Northern Ireland centre-back Hughes missed his country's World Cup qualifying defeat in Bulgaria on Wednesday with an ankle injury and is doubtful for the Bradford trip.

Hughes, United's only ever-present player in the Premiership this season, is taking anti-inflammatory tablets and having ice treatment in a bid to preserve his proud record.

But O'Brien, signed to fill the void left by the £4m departure of Alain Goma to Fulham, is ready to link up with Steve Caldwell at the heart of the Magpies' defence if Hughes is ruled out.

Meanwhile, United's Republic of Ireland keeper Shay Given is eyeing a shut-out hat-trick this weekend.

Given, who kept the opposition out in the Republic's resounding World Cup qualifying victories over Cyprus and Andorra, hopes to make it three in a row at Bradford and end United's embarrassing run of 25 games without a clean sheet.

It's exactly six months since United last kept a clean sheet, when they won 1-0 win at Manchester City.

Given, who yesterday received the ntl player of the month award, said: "My confidence is sky-high with the two clean sheets and I would love to make it three at Bradford.

"This is the second time I've won this award this season and it means a lot to me.''

Nolberto Solano is due to arrive back tonight from World Cup duty with Peru.

The United winger emerged unscathed after playing 90 minutes in the 3-0 win against Chile in Lima.

Manager Bobby Robson faces a late decision over whether to include the jet-lagged Solano in his starting line-up for the Bradford clash.

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