Newcastle manager Joe Kinnear is ready to turn to Celtic's controversial Artur Boruc if Manchester City lure his "untouchable" keeper Shay Given away with a £12million bid.

Kinnear has told Mike Ashley that Given, 32, must stay and urged the Toon owner to do everything in his power to keep the unsettled No.1.

But Kinnear is realistic enough to know Ashley having banked £12m for James Milner in August's transfer window could welldothe same again if City offer the same cash.

And having already confirmed an interest in Rangers skipper Barry Ferguson, Kinnear is looking across the Old Firm divide towards Boruc as a contingency plan should Republic of Ireland star Given be lured to Eastlands.

Toon recruiter Dennis Wise is looking north of the border for January recruits because of the lower wages in the SPL.

With Boruc on under half of Given's £50,000-aweek salary, it's an attractive prospect.

Newcastle believe they could get Boruc - hailed by Celtic fans as "The Holy Goalie" - and Ferguson for the money they would get for Given.

Get your hands on this week's estimated jackpot of £100,000 by playing the New Football Pools .

Find out what our resident Premier League fan bloggers think - and let them know your views.

Follow every Premier League game live with our brilliant Match Tracker .