The fitness frustrations continue at Eastlands for goalkeeper Shay Given

Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given may be sidelined for up to three months because of a shoulder injury.

The 34-year-old, who has only played in four matches for City this season, will visit a specialist on Wednesday.

City boss Roberto Mancini said: "He has the same injury he had last year and I think that he needs an operation."

Already ruled out of the Republic of Ireland's home Euro 2012 qualifier against Macedonia, Given might not play for club or country again this season.

Mancini added: "It's a disappointment for us and him. We've lost a good goalkeeper.

"Last year we had the problem in the last three games because we lost him to injury and I hope this year it is not the same."

With City sealing an FA Cup fifth-round place against Aston Villa after overcoming League One side Notts County on Sunday, Given will be anxious to be available for a potential trip to Wembley if the club make the final on 14 May.

And if the Eastlands team continue to progress in the Europa League he will be desperate to be fit for the final in Dublin on 18 May.

However, having been displaced by Joe Hart as City's number one and without a single Premier League appearance in the 2010-2011 campaign, Given could conceivably have played his final game for the club.

In the absence of the former Newcastle keeper, Stuart Taylor looks set to act as Hart's deputy, while Mancini admitted he would probably be forced to recall David Gonzales from his loan spell at Leeds United.

Given also damaged his shoulder in April, which prompted City to sign Marton Fulop on an emergency loan deal from Sunderland for their final three games of the 2009-10 season with Hart on loan at Birmingham.

The four games that Given has played for City this season are the Carling Cup defeat at West Brom in September and three Europa League matches, with his last appearance in a 1-1 draw at Juventus on 16 December.

His injury is also a huge blow for his country with the Republic, currently second in Group B, facing Macedonia at the Aviva Stadium on 26 March.

Republic boss Giovanni Trapattoni said on Tuesday: "Shay's presence in the squad has always been extremely important and he will certainly be missed. That said, we have good options in Keiren Westwood and Joe Murphy."

Better news for Trapattoni involved captain Robbie Keane who looks likely to recover from a calf strain for the Macedonia clash.

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