Time For Harper To Step Out Of The Shadows

Newcastle keeper Steve Harper, along with Carlo Cudicini, must be one of the greatest understudy goalkeepers the top flight has ever seen.

But while Chelsea stopper Cudicini was sealing a move to London rivals Tottenham this week, Harper was putting the final touches to a new three-year contract extension.

The 33-year-old's decision to accept a new deal, which will keep him at St James' Park until the summer of 2012 will take his stay to 19 years, but for the last 10 years Harper has played second fiddle to Shay Given.

Harper has made only 101 appearances for the Geordies in a career which started on Tyneside in 1993. It's a staggering statistic when you consider what a talent the Easington-born keeper actually is.

True he has spent numerous periods out on loan thoughout his time with the club, but to have started only 65 league games for Newcastle in 15 years is simply amazing.

Harper, who has not played a game this season, might have been told by the Newcastle hierarchy that No. 1 Given is moving on, with the football odds heavily stacked in favour of Manchester City, therefore he could have received assurances that he is going to be elevated into the number one position.

If that's the case then it's easy to see why Harper has agreed to extend his stay, but beyond that, is Harper blindly loyal or does he possess little if any ambition?

It's a question that has been raised before concerning Harper, who took five years to make his senior debut for the Toon Army.

Loyalty in football is uncommon in modern times and although I'd like to think he bleeds black and white, I cannot help feeling he just needs to broaden his horizons and move on.

If he is going to be Newcastle's number one then not before time, but otherwise cut your loses Steve and earn your keep.

By Phil Tomlinson, a professional sports writer who blogs about football and football betting.