By Matthew Jones
July 20 2003

Stever Harper, who failed to start a single Premiership game last season, has vowed to challenge Irish goalkeeper Shay Given all the way for his Number One shirt this summer. Starting with the Asia Cup next week, he will be showing Sir Bobby Robson his "class". Newcastle United's second choice goalkeeper, Steve Harper, no longer wants to watch the games from the sideline. He will be challenging Newcastle No.1 goalkeeper Shay Given all the way this coming season.

Harper has recently agreed a contract extension to keep him at St James' Park, believes that he has the class to take him to the top. He will be showing manager Sir Bobby Robson just what he can do this summer, starting with the Asia Cup in Malaysia next week.

"Most of the 22-man squad look like getting their chance over there and I won't be the only one looking to use these games as an opportunity to remind the manager of what I can do," said Harper, who failed to start a single Premiership game last season.

"I always enjoy this time of year because me and Shay do tend to share the goalkeeping duties and it feels like I'm back in contention.

"I'm working hard to make sure my standards don't slip. The last thing I want to do is get my chance and then mess it up because I've lost my focus."

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