Harper to fight for place

Newcastle number 2 keeper Steve Harper has warned Shay Given that the fight for the number 1 jersey is not over. The pair are close friends but at the same time have been huge rivals at St James' Park for the last decade.

Harper has shown remarkable admiration and patience for several seasons remaining understudy to Shay Given at the club.

However, after a taste of first team action, it appears Harper is going to continue his fight for a starting place.

He said: "The battle goes on.

"It goes without saying that I was desperately disappointed to be left on the bench on Saturday, but I must say what made it easier for me was that I lost my place to a top-class goalkeeper.

"But I am not one to spit out my dummy and all I can do is keep working hard and try to get back into the team."

Harper was obviously gutted after being dropped for the Man City game: "We flew down to Manchester early on Friday morning and had a work-out at the Manchester United training ground, and it was then that the manager told me I was not playing.

"Obviously I was gutted and very disappointed, but I am a professional and I have always stood by the manager's decision in all my time here no matter who it has been."