Newcastle keeper Shay Given is expected to be out for six weeks after having groin surgery in Germany on Tuesday.

Given has not played since Newcastle’s 5-1 home defeat against Manchester United on 23 February. He was operated on by Dr Ulrike Muschaweck, who has also treated Michael Owen and Alan Shearer.

A Newcastle statement read: “Shay Given is expected to make a full recovery after surgery and will be absent for a six-week period.”

The 31-year-old Republic of Ireland keeper was sidelined by a similar problem at the start of the season.

He has been troubled by the problem throughout the season and has been restricted to just 24 appearances – Steve Harper has deputised as Newcastle have been dragged into the relegation fight under new manager Kevin Keegan.

Blackburn Rovers have signed Swiss international midfielder Johann Vogel after a successful trial spell.

The 31-year-old, who was released by Spanish side Real Betis in December 2007, had been training with Rovers since the beginning of March.

Subject to international clearance, Vogel has signed a two-and-a-half year deal with the option of a further year.

Vogel, who has 94 Swiss caps, began his career with Grasshoppers and has also played for PSV Eindhoven and AC Milan. He joined Betis in August 2006 but was allowed to leave following a legal dispute.

Vogel has previously been targeted by Manchester United and Everton, and was also linked with a move to Sunderland when he became a free agent.

Kevin Keegan believes spirits are high at Newcastle United despite the club’s woeful run of form. The Magpies travel to Birmingham on Monday night looking for their first Premier League win in 13 games.

Newcastle’s woeful sequence of results has seen them slip down the table and even raise question marks over Keegan’s future. However, Keegan has stated his players are staying positive and he believes that a victory could lay the platform for an upturn in form.

“It is our job to pick them up all the time – and sometimes, it is their job to pick us up. It is a two-way thing, but spirits are still pretty high and a win would just elevate them and take them on to another level. That has always been the case in football. Players do not enjoy losing football matches.” – said Keegan.

“The players in the team feel under pressure and the players out of the team feel they should be in. It has never been any different. You can find yourselves playing the Arsenals and the Chelseas and the Manchester Uniteds and the Liverpools and the tough ones around you, and you can find yourselves easily in this division losing three or four games on the trot. “

Italian  has confirmed that he will be the new sporting director of West Ham United. The Premier League club have been scouring the world for a person to fill the newly created role, which will become a pivotal position at the East London outfit.

Nani currently holds a similar role at Brescia but he has been lured to the English capital by Hammers chairman Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson. Nani confirmed he would be taking up his appointment at the end of the season.

“From June I will take over my new position with West Ham,” he told a news conference. I have conducted the negotiations in person but in the full co-operation of Brescia chairman [Luigi] Corioni, who I must thank along with his family. I have leant so much in these years with the club and for that opportunity I must thank them.”

Nani is known for his strong contacts throughout the continent and his main duty will be to oversee transfer policy at Upton Park.

Mikel Arteta believes it is imperative Everton’s board tie David Moyes to a long-term contract at Goodison Park.

The Scottish tactician has 18-months left on his existing deal and as yet, talks have not been forthcoming over an extension. Moyes has been widely lauded for the job he has done on Merseyside, with Everton competing manfully for fourth spot with neighbours Liverpool this term.

Key playmaker Arteta is of the opinion Moyes has performed miracles during his stint at the helm and is desperate to maintain a working relationship with the former Preston boss.

“He has played such a big part in turning this club around from what it was when I came here three-and-a-half years ago, He must take the credit for that and hopefully he’s going to stay. The other night, before the penalties against Fiorentina, he gathered us around and told us that, whatever happened next, he was very proud of us.”

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is anticipating a thrilling end to the Premier League season after his side overtook Arsenal at the top.

United beat Derby 1-0 on Saturday, before the Gunners were held at home by Middlesbrough and United are now ahead on goal difference with a game in hand.

Ferguson said: “The league is bubbling up very nicely now, it should be a fantastic finish to the season.” and Wenger added: “We have dropped lots of points and it is a big disappointment.”

Arsenal’s result against Boro was their fourth draw in the league in a row, a run that has seen the Gunners’ five-point lead at the top evaporate.

Wenger continued: “When you are in a race with the opponents we have, it is not ideal to be on this run, but we must keep our spirit and focus. Now we play Chelsea next, so it’s very interesting. We will see at the end of the season what effect this result has. I feel the spirit is there and the players are giving everything, but at the moment it’s not working for us.”

United play their game in hand at home to Bolton on Wednesday and Ferguson said: “Hopefully we can win that as well and stay at the top.”

Chelsea, meanwhile, are only three points behind the top two and have a game in hand on Arsenal, who they entertain at Stamford Bridge on 23 March.