Shay Given is to discuss his future with Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini next week if he finds himself on the bench on Saturday.
At a Republic of Ireland press conference today looking ahead to Wednesday's friendly with Argentina, Given made it clear he is not prepared to play second fiddle to Joe Hart this season.
Hart was outstanding during a season-long loan at Birmingham last season, to such an extent that Mancini has refused to allow the 23 -year-old to join another club on a similar basis.
That has opened the debate as to whether Hart or Given will receive the nod from Mancini for Saturday's Barclays Premier League curtain-raiser against Tottenham at White Hart Lane.
At the age of 34, Given knows his career for both club and country are on the line and that he has to be playing first-team football with one to further his longevity with the other.
"We will have to wait until lunchtime on Saturday when the manager picks the team to see who starts in goal," said Given, who has been linked with Arsenal and Fulham of late due to the uncertainty.
"Obviously I hope to start, but it's inevitable there is going to be speculation because I know Joe is also a top 'keeper.
"The manager will decide, and whoever he starts with you would feel that is who he would mostly want to play in the big games.
"If I don't start then I'll sit down with the club next week and see where my future lies, and maybe vice-versa with Joe, because we will both feel we should be playing.
"Ideally I'd like to stay at the club because it's a big club to be at, a very ambitious club with fantastic owners.
"I want to be part of it, which is why I joined in the first place.
"If I don't start I guess it's an advantage the transfer window will still be open.
"Maybe I'll go out on loan, come back and see where that takes me.
"But I know I'm at a stage where I need to be playing. I'm 34, and I've not got millions of years left."
