Danny Guthrie and Jonas Gutierrez have already arrived at St James' Park this summer but, by Keegan's own admission, Newcastle's squad remains on the small side.

Goalkeeper Given believes it is important to strengthen and is concerned that time is running out until the start of the new season.

The transfer window will stay open until the end of next month and Given is convinced that club bosses will already be stepping up their efforts to make signings.

"We've got a very small squad at the moment and I think we need to get a few more players in before the transfer window closes," the Republic of Ireland goalkeeper told The Guardian.

"It is a concern the longer it goes on and we don't get them in but I suppose there's until the end of August when the window closes.

"We're short of players but I know the manager and the board are working hard behind the scenes to get players in so I suppose we should really comment at the end of August.

"I don't know how difficult it is to get new players in because I don't do the deals but, although we have got a couple of lads in, we need a good few more."

Given accepts that it is difficult to predict how the Magpies will fare in the Premier League, but he is looking to push on into the top half of the table.

He explained: "It's hard to say where we'll finish because we need more players, but our objective will be to do better than last season, when we were 12th.

"I'd like to think we'll finish a lot higher than last season."