Do City have the new Shay Given?

Keiren Westwood has been one of the stars of the season for Coventry City following his move from Carlisle, and as well as attracting interest from the Premier League, has made himself a fixture in the Republic of Ireland squad.

Writing for Irish football website eleven-a-side, Shane Breslin suggests that Westwood is the natural successor to Shay Given.

The fact that Westwood was born in Manchester and qualifies under the 'grandparent rule' has not endeared himself to all fans of the Ireland team or those overlooked in favour of him.

"I`m not saying I should be picked in it but it`s amazing that two days before, there is something in the paper about him saying he`s not Irish as such but he`s a Catholic and then he`s in the squad," Bohemians keeper Brian Murphy told the Irish Star at the time of Westwood's first call-up.

"For any lad that always wanted to play for Ireland, it`s probably a bit of a piss-take.

"It`s frustrating for any player in this league to see Joe Soaps coming into the squad."

Leaving those concerns aside however, Westwood's star is in the ascendancy for both club and country.

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