On-loan Middlesbrough goalkeeper Shay Given has admitted that it is a "great" feeling to be playing football again in competitive games.

Given had not played for parent club Aston Villa for 10 months before he appeared for Boro last month, and the Irishman said that he has missed being regularly involved in matchday action.

"It was 10 months or whatever since I played competitive football," he told the Northern Echo. "It's nice to have the buzz of the pre-match build up, the excitement, the nerves again.

"You miss the furore surrounding the games. That's what you live for as a footballer. It's great to be back involved. You miss that. You might not forget it, but you do miss that match-day involvement."

Given has made four appearances for the Championship side.