Paul Lambert felt dropping the former Toon goalkeeper and bringing in Brad Guzan was the 'right decision'.
Given was demoted to the bench following a shaky performance in last week's 3-1 home defeat by Everton.
Paul Lambert: "I just try and pick a team that I think can win a game, that's all I can do.
"Shay is a brilliant goalkeeper, there are no two ways about it, and we had a chat the other day.
"I just thought it was the right decision for the football club."