Harper relishing Newscastle chance

Steve Harper will not believe he has been handed a first Premeriship start in almost 18 months until he steps on to the pitch at Anfield tomorrow night.

The 31-year-old Newcastle goalkeeper will deputise for Shay Given against Liverpool as the Irishman continues recovery from surgery to repair a tear in his bowel after a horrific clash with West Ham’s Marlon Harewood on Sunday.