And the goalkeeper was there again at the KC Stadium doing what he does best.

Given's representative had dropped a bombshell on Newcastle on the eve of Saturday's FA Cup third-round tie against Hull City.

Lawyer Michael Kennedy claimed the 32-year-old, after more than 11 years of service, wanted to talk to three clubs understood to be keen to sign him in this month's transfer window.

If Given was concerned what the reaction to Kennedy's explosive statement would be from United's fans, then he needn't have worried.

As early as the fourth minute, the 2,700-strong travelling contingent chanted his name.

However, few of those who made the trip to Humberside would blame Given if he did reluctantly leave Tyneside looking to win something before he hangs up his gloves.

The club has lurched from one crisis to another during his St James's Park career, with stability, let alone success, seemingly as far away as ever.

Newcastle, despite a run which has seen them beaten just twice in eight games, remain deep in trouble.

And manager Joe Kinnear's revelation that he has to sell to buy in the transfer window means alarm bells are ringing a little louder, as the 62-year-old, in reality, has few saleable assets.

One of them is Given, and another is captain Michael Owen.

Kinnear insists he won't sell either of them, but a glance at the fringes of his squad tells you that generating substantial funds is a near impossibility without selling the crown jewels.

The likes of Xisco, Geremi and Jose Enrique won't fetch the £16m Kinnear wants for rebuilding, while Alan Smith remains in the treatment room.

And in any case, letting them go won't exactly mean a strengthened squad for Kinnear, who is talking about bringing in five new faces to safeguard against relegation.

Kinnear needs to add to, not subtract from, his playing staff.

Owner Mike Ashley didn't heed warnings from Kevin Keegan in the summer that United's squad was woefully short in numbers, and he doesn't appear to be listening to his successor, who has back-tracked on an earlier assertion that he was guaranteed cash.

A glance at the fixture list tells you that Newcastle have a tough run in, and if this chance to sign players is wasted, then there won't be another, whatever happens on the injury front.

And it was telling that Hull manager Phil Brown was able to make several changes to keep his side fresh for their return to Premier League action.

Kinnear didn't have that luxury, and a replay was probably about the last thing he wanted.

On another day, Owen, or his strike partner Andy Carroll, would have found the net, with both having chances to break the deadlock.

The home side – on the back foot for much of the first-half – also had their moments, and Michael Turner looked to have had the ball over the line late in the game, only for Chris Foy's assistant to rule otherwise.

Given also denied Geovanni from a free kick, and he left the field at the final whistle with applause from the away end ringing in his ears.

The odds are he will again be in goal when Hull travel to St James's Park for the replay, most likely to be staged a week on Wednesday.

But supporters will remember that James Milner – who struck his first goals for Aston Villa yesterday – was sold behind Keegan's back, effectively making his position untenable.

Has anything changed in the intervening months? Only time will tell.