AFTER barely suffering an injury in his first nine seasons as a Newcastle player, Shay Given has suddenly spent more than three months of the current campaign on the sidelines.

So it would be ironic if the most stressful season of his life also turned out to be the most successful one.

Always one of the Magpies' most outspoken critics, Given has persistently bemoaned the club's inability to convert talent into trophies.

His 75 international caps and 400-plus senior appearances underline the ability that has lauded him as one of the foremost goalkeepers in the game, but a chronic lack of silverware continues to haunt the player.

Next week's UEFA Cup last-16 clash with AZ Alkmaar offers an opportunity to move another step closer to putting that right and, he is desperate to make his dreams of silverware a reality.

"It would be ironic if my hardest season turned into the best," said the Republic of Ireland international, who ruptured his bowel at West Ham in September before suffering a groin problem in the Hammers' return.

"But who knows what the future holds? You don't know what's around the corner so, in an ideal world, it would be great to go to Glasgow at the end of the season (for the UEFA Cup final) and pick up a trophy.

"I've been here almost ten years and I'm desperate to win something. We know how long it's been since the last trophy, so it's hugely important to put that right."

While the UEFA Cup represents Newcastle's only remaining chance of silverware this season, the Premiership still offers a potential route back into continental competition next term.

But Given admits that defensive improvements are imperative if they are to replicate last term's Intertoto achievements.

Newcastle have kept just four Premiership clean sheets all season, a tally that is the worst in the top-flight alongside Tottenham and West Ham.

"We've kept very few clean sheets and I don't know why," said Given. "We haven't defended well enough as a team, myself included.

"It's frustrating when you look at the stats. I don't know what it's down to, it's not one thing you can put your finger on.We know we have to improve on the clean sheet situation because it's simply not good enough. Myself, the defence, the whole team as a unit - we all have to work harder."