By Tyne-Talk
February 14 2008

Steve Harper may miss out on a rare starting place next weekend as Shay Given aims to return to the fold after being substituted off against Aston Villa on Saturday. The Irish International left the field with a Groin injury and was replaced by Harper - Newcastle lost 4-1 but Harper couldnt be faulted and performed a couple of excellent saves.

Harper, 32, has threatened to leave the club before due to lack of time on the pitch and too much spent on the bench, but he has never carried the threat out due to Given's injuries.

He played 25 games last season after Shay suffered a stomach injury, and has played 9 so far in this campaign due to Given's ongoing Groin problems.

Manager Kevin Keegan said of the situation;

"We will have to assess the situation again next week but Shay's injury does not look as though it is a bad one.

It was an unfortunate one because he did it trying to change direction when Villa scored and he had to come off. We were obviously concerned at first because he was in too much pain to continue, but we are hopeful he will be fit again by the time we play Manchester United next week."

Harper joined for Newcastle in July 1993, under Keegan's first managerial stint and made his first team debut in 1999 and is extremely grateful to be working with the man he signed as a youngester, once more.

"I think we've got the best pair of goalkeepers in the Premier League, I honestly do.

We're very lucky to have them. I don't know every pair of goalkeepers at every club in the division, but I've seen or worked with most of them during my time as a manager. I signed Steve Harper as a young boy and I liked him then and I like him now. He will get his chances, I'm sure of that. He's the sort of guy that, if you had a daughter, you'd be happy if she brought him home to meet you.

Whenever Steve has gone into the side he has done well and I don't think people realise how good he is. That was what our goalkeeping coach Paul Barron said when he first came to the club. I suppose Shay has just got the edge over him because he has so much experience. He has played so many games, not just with Newcastle United, but with Blackburn Rovers before that and with the Republic of Ireland of course.

We've also got a couple of young goalkeepers at the club at the moment, Fraser Forster and a young Swedish lad called Ole Soderberg who has been training with the first-team squad. They are both learning from Steve and Shay, so we're very well off in that position."

Harper is the sole survivor of the Keegan era.

Harper Back On The Bench

Discussion started by TyneTalk (IP Logged), 14/02/2008 09:23

TyneTalk
14/02/2008 09:23

Harper Back On The Bench

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i!
14/02/2008 11:27

I though it said 'Harper Back On The Beach' when I read it first time...


Get regular updates from one of TyneTalk's mintest posters, follow: [www.twitter.com] @adameverett92

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Gallowgate Luke
14/02/2008 17:23

To be fair to the bloke, he was been more than patient and he is a damn good keeper.

If I was in his shoes, I would have left years ago.

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nathan robinson
14/02/2008 17:45

Almost 15 years as a number 2 goalkeeper, he should have left years ago because he's definitely good enough to be a number 1 at another Prem team. Much respect to the bloke.

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detox1978
14/02/2008 18:55

He's mad for playing 2nd fiddle all these years, he'd have earned a few england caps by now.

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tunyc
14/02/2008 20:04

Personally, I'd be fine with letting him leave and giving the backup role to Krul next season. I'd like to see what the kid can do and Harper's presence creates a logjam at the position.

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jimmy_jay_uk
15/02/2008 11:36

Krul is decent - but currently crocked and on loan...

Harper is dependable

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