Newcastle United goalkeeper Steve Harper targets rapid recovery

24 September 2010 12:37
Having spent so long in the St James' Park shadows as former Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given's understudy, Harper is already plotting to make sure his absence from first-team duties is kept to a minimum. [LNB]"There will be the proper protocol, of course, but I will be looking to be back as soon as possible," Harper said. [LNB] Related ArticlesNewcastle's Steve Harper out for 12 weeksAmeobi targets regular starting berthChelsea 3 Newcastle United 4Ancelotti fears Chelsea injury crisisScunthorpe 2 Manchester United 5Ancelotti to put faith in youth"We've got great medical staff here and they know that me even being in the medical room for more than five minutes usually sees me banging my head against the wall so three months will be a long time. [LNB]"I was told it could be four months but I was determined to stay positive until we'd had a clear diagnosis. We've been told three months, so it will be now up to me and the medical team to get down to work and chisel as many days off that as possible. [LNB]"We decided between myself, the club doctor and Shay Given that Andrew Wallace, the Australian doctor in London, was the best option. It's been frustrating waiting for the next step but the long road is ahead of me now. When the pain subsides it will be up to me to get myself fit." [LNB]Harper underwent surgery as Newcastle's promising start to the season continued with a 4-3 Carling Cup win at Chelsea. [LNB]"I had my operation at 8pm on Wednesday night and when they woke me up they told me Newcastle had won 4-3," Harper said. [LNB]"I wasn't sure if the anaesthetic was still in full effect but it was a fantastic result and they fully deserved it. It showed what great team spirit we've got these days." [LNB]Harper was injured during last weekend's 1-0 win at Goodison Park following a challenge by Everton striker Jermaine Beckford. [LNB]"I think the manager said it was an unnecessary challenge and as soon as I landed I heard a crunch," Harper added. "I couldn't move my arm after it. But the staff in the hospital were fantastic, although it was pretty much obvious it was a bad one. [LNB]"I came out of the hospital and met up with a jubilant team at the airport. After that it was a case of getting together with the club doctor and making a decision on what was the next best step." [LNB]Easington-born Harper is backing back-up goalkeeper Tim Krul to prosper in his absence. [LNB]"I know that Tim had a few offers in the summer from other places," Harper said. "I urged him to stay, ironically. [LNB]"I'm 36 later this season and I told him there could be an opportunity coming up soon. We didn't know it would be so soon but I've got every faith in him. [LNB]"He's a very good goalkeeper and he's got the chance now for at least 12 weeks. It's been a very busy week for him already and it will get busier against Stoke because they do like to target the goalkeepers. [LNB]"He was one of the first to come over and see if I was okay and one of the first to ring me afterwards. We've got a really good relationship. He's willing to listen and learn and that's good. [LNB]"We're lying in sixth place at the moment and hopefully by the time I'm fit again we can at least be in still in the top half." [LNB]

Source: Telegraph