Shay Given is set to reject a move to Fulham in order to focus on fighting for his place at Manchester City.

The Republic of Ireland keeper has been considering his future since being dislodged from the Blues’ starting line-up by Joe Hart.

But City boss Roberto Mancini and football administrator Brian Marwood have worked hard to convince Given that he can satisfy his longing for trophies at Eastlands.

Mancini has made it clear he wants both Given and Hart at the club, along with back-up Stuart Taylor, to ensure he has enough goalkeeping cover to see through a demanding season.

The Italian had his fingers burned towards the end of last term, when Given dislocated his shoulder at Arsenal while Hart was on loan at Birmingham and Taylor was recovering from a knee operation.

City’s attempts to persuade the Premier League to allow them to recall Hart failed, leaving Mancini with a goalkeeping crisis at a crucial time in their bid for a Champions League spot.

With only the inexperienced Gunnar Nielsen and David Gonzalez available, Mancini had to sign Marton Fulop on an emergency loan from Sunderland.

The City boss has the option of offering Given the chance to play in the Carling Cup and their six Europa League games between now and Christmas – which will include two mouth-watering ties against Juventus.

But Mancini also knows he can rely on the 34-year-old to perform in the big Premier League games – and is looking to Given to keep Hart on his toes.

The Blues are serious about challenging for glory in the FA and Carling Cups as well as the Europa League. If they reach the finals of all three – assuming no FA Cup replays – they will end up playing 67 games this season.

Mancini does not expect to stick with the same goalkeeper through so many games, and wants  to be able to rotate.

Fulham boss Mark Hughes, who brought Given to City from Newcastle for £8m in February 2009, has been keen to take the keeper to Craven Cottage in case Mark Schwarzer moves to Arsenal.

Marwood, though, was confident enough in City’s ability to hang on to Given to state publicly late last week that the Irishman was prepared to fight for his place.

Roque Santa Cruz’s move to Lazio, meanwhile, was in the balance on Monday night, as the Italian club  tried to persuade the 29-year-old striker to uproot from the north west of England on a season-long loan deal before today’s transfer deadline.

Lazio want to take Santa Cruz on loan with a view to a £6.5m perm- anent move in 12 months’ time.

Santa Cruz – signed from Blackburn for £17m last summer – was left out of the Mancini’s Europa League squad earlier this month but the Blues have said that the final decision rests with the striker.

AC Milan are pondering a deadline-day offer for Robinho, with Barcelona also in the frame.

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