ADL Daily – Injury heartache for Harper prompts talk of Given return
After waiting in the wings and playing second fiddle to Shay Given for heroically long and loyal periods of his career at Newcastle United, Steve Harper’s shoulder ligament injury suffered at Goodison Park at the weekend in the Magpies’ surprise win against Everton has now sparked fresh talk of Given returning to St. James’ Park in the January transfer window. Harper, who was signed by Kevin Keegan as an 18 year-old in 1993, has had to battle through numerous injury setbacks and fight tooth-and-nail for the No 1 jersey on Tyneside he so craved, but just after 18 months of having played week in week out for the Toon Army, by far his longest spell in the side, the Easington-born gloveman looks set for a further painful period watching from the sidelines.
Harper has undergone a series of scans and examinations to determine the damage to his shoulder since Saturday, but still Newcastle boss Chris Hughton was in no position to reveal how long the incredibly estimable ‘keeper will be out of action for as he spoke on Monday: “It is a ligament injury to his shoulder and that will be assessed over the next couple of days. It would be unfair to say how long he will be out for, but it will be a period of time.”
This would suggest it will be at least six weeks, meaning young Dutchman Tim Krul will get his chance to step into the breach and prove his credentials at Premier League level for the first time. The 22 year-old from Den Haag has had some amazing cameo performances for the first team since signing in 2005. He made his debut in a UEFA Cup game in Palermo in November 2006 and put in a display that earned him the man-of-the match award. He also helped the Magpies secure a draw at West Bromwich Albion on his league debut by pulling off a string of splendid saves in the first game of last season, after Harper had to be replaced at half-time. The young stopper is precociously talented and he will now get the opportunity to show off his aptitude on a more regular basis in one of the best leagues in the world.
Krul will be granted this opportunity because of Hughton’s faith in the young fledgling, this being confirmed as the Magpies’ chief confirmed he would not be contacting Manchester City in an attempt to bring Given back to Tyneside on an emergency loan deal following Roberto Mancini’s declaration his second choice goalkeeper was free to leave Eastlands in January. However, rumours about Given returning to Newcastle are bound to continue to circulate until he actually moves, and despite being a good friend of Given, Harper has also had him as a nemesis for far too long in the past, and will surely hope other suitors attract his attention significantly more than a reunion at St. James’ Park.
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