Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given admits he cannot afford to relax for a second if he is to fulfil his World Cup dreams in the Far East next summer.

The Irishman is currently brimming with confidence, with United boss Bobby Robson describing him as the best in the Premiership following a string of impressive performances in recent weeks.

But with Steve Harper chasing the number one shirt at St James's Park, and Charlton's Dean Kiely doing likewise at international level, Given knows he cannot let his high standards slip.

"I think I'm doing well just to stay in the team - both for Newcastle and the Republic of Ireland," said Given, who is aiming to help United to victory at Ipswich on Sunday.

"That has helped me out enormously this season because Steve is pushing me all the way at club level and Dean's doing the same in the Irish squad.

"Knowing there are people challenging so hard for places keeps me on my toes and I know that I if I let things slip then maybe I will find myself on the bench."

Harper, who has had to be content with three appearances this season in United's Worthington Cup campaign, managed to oust Given for a short spell last Christmas - although he has not played a Premiership match since January.

Given knows a repeat could ultimately cost him the chance to perform at next year's World Cup in Japan and South Korea, despite his heroics in helping the Irish book their place in last month's play-off triumph against Iran.

And that can only be good for Robson and his men - with the 25-year-old pulling out all the stops to ensure his place at the top of the Republic's pecking order.

Given started the season with an embarrassing gaffe at Chelsea as he gifted Boudewijn Zenden a goal.

But with Robson keeping the faith, the former Blackburn man insists that all has been forgotten.

"It's obviously good if the manager is saying that I'm the best goalkeeper in the Premiership at the moment, especially considering the start to the season I had at Chelsea," he said.

"People make mistakes all the time and I am no different.

"But I've got over that and everything has gone very well for me since then - I've been delighted with my form on the whole this season."

Given watched last weekend's World Cup draw with great interest, with Mick McCarthy's men set to face Germany, Cameroon and Saudi Arabia in Group E next June.

The Irish are fully expected to book their passage into the knockout stages of the competition.

And, although he is realistic about his side's chances in Japan, Given is hoping that his teammates will give a good account of themselves on the big stage.

"It's not a bad draw - we're glad we didn't get England's draw," he added.

"We've got no chance of winning the World Cup but the most important thing is that we are going.

"I'm absolutely delighted and it means a lot to me. It has given a lift to the whole country and people are still talking about the last time we qualified in 1994, and even the time before that in 1990.

"What we really need is to have four people pushing for every position - we have a good squad but we know that we don't have a big squad.

"It's important that we go out there and give a good account of ourselves. We mustn't go out and think we are just there to make up the numbers."