Given to seek Eastlands exit

Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given has confirmed that he will seek a loan exit from Eastlands if he has not been given a first-team opportunity before the transfer window reopens in January.

The 34-year-old Republic of Ireland international has had to act as back-up to Joe Hart so far this term and is not too happy with that situation.

He told The Sunday Times: “It’s very, very frustrating. I know it doesn’t matter what I do on the training pitch, I won’t be playing at the weekend.

“We’ll see what happens come January and hopefully if the situation’s the same, I can go on loan and try and get some games in.”

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Tottenham Hotspur have announced that former White Hart Lane legend Bobby Smith has died at the age of 77, following a short illness.

The England international striker scored 208 goals in 317 appearances for Spurs and was a key member of the side which won the double in 1960-61.

Smith, who started his career with Chelsea, joined Spurs towards the end of 1955, leaving north London to join Brighton & Hove Albion almost nine years later.

Harlequins have confirmed that England winger Ugo Monye could be sidelined for up to three months by a foot injury.

The 27-year-old missed the 21-17 defeat at Sale Sharks on Friday night, going under the knife as his side were in action at Edgeley Park.

A short statement from Quins read: “Ugo Monye underwent successful surgery on Friday evening and will be out for up to 12 weeks.

“The extent and duration of the injury will be known more clearly after further consultation with the surgeon, then further updates will be given.”

England head coach Andy Flower admits that the one-day international series against Pakistan has been devalued by recent off-field problems.

With spot-fixing allegations being levelled at three Pakistan players, Flower feels that the five-match series, which is poised at 2-1 to the home side after three games, has been pushed into the background.

He commented: “From a selfish perspective, it’s really annoying. It devalues our Test series and it’s also devaluing this one-day series – it’s very sad for cricket.”

Australia’s Casey Stoner led from start to finish on his Ducati to take victory at the Aragon MotoGP.

Stoner started from pole position and gave an almost faultless display to secure his first win of the campaign.

Dani Pedrosa was Stoner’s closest challenger and came in second, with runaway championship leader, Yamaha’s Jorge Lorenzo, being pipped by Nicky Hayden for the final podium spot.

Before the race, Pedrosa had confirmed that he has signed a new two-year contract to remain with Repsol Honda until the end of the 2012 season.