Newcastle United Football Club News

• Nickname:Magpies
• Founded:1881
• Manager:Alan Pardew

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Sam hints at Harper start

28 Sep 2007 - 10:15:45

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Newcastle United boss Sam Allardyce has hinted that Shay Given will return to the substitute's bench for Saturday's trip to Manchester City.

The Republic of Ireland international has yet to make a Premier League appearance this season despite returning from injury earlier this month.

Given was handed a rare start during the midweek Carling Cup defeat by Arsenal, but Allardyce has hinted that Steve Harper will return to the side for the Premier League trip to the City of Manchester Stadium.

"I chose Shay on Tuesday, but in reverse I would have picked Steven Harper for the Arsenal game if Shay had been playing regularly in the Premiership," he said.

"When you have got two outstanding goalkeepers the hardest part of the job is keeping one happy when one is not playing and the other one is in the team.

"That is the hardest part of management, but to have two such outstanding keepers is also comforting.

"Will Shay be happy on the bench? He cannot be. Impossible.

"Steve Harper is slightly better at it, but it is not about making a decision based on who will create more problems for me.

"It is all about what you think is the right thing, or the right goalkeeper, for that particular time."