Danny Higginbotham: 'Shay Given should replace Jack Butland'

Shay Given should be between the posts when Stoke City take on Swansea City at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday afternoon, according to the club's former defender Danny Higginbotham.

The Potters will be without number one goalkeeper Jack Butland for the remainder of the season following confirmation that he suffered a broken ankle while on international duty with England.

That has left manager Mark Hughes to decide whether to hand the gloves to veteran stopper Given or rookie Jakob Haugaard.

As far as Higginbotham is concerned, 39-year-old Given represents the safest option.

"Haugaard may well be the future for Stoke and I've certainly got nothing against him, but for me it would be Given in goal against Swansea," he told The Sentinel.

"I just think his wealth of experience is what Stoke need right now, particularly with Ryan Shawcross still out, and experience is obviously the one thing Haugaard lacks after just two FA Cup appearances so far for the club.

"People will point to Given being 39 now, but that's not necessarily old for a goalkeeper, particularly one who's clearly a top professional and who looks after himself."

Given, who joined the Potters on a free transfer last summer, has made just two League Cup appearances this term.