Harper extends magpies contract

Sir Bobby Robson has won his fight to keep another key member of his squad at St James’ Park after goalkeeper Steve Harper signed a new five-year deal.

The 27-year-old Easington-born player suffered the misfortune of sitting on the bench for no fewer than 50 of the club’s 53 games last season, playing only in the Worthington Cup ties against Brentford, Barnsley and Ipswich as number one Shay Given produced perhaps the best form of his career to date.