Harps losing fitness battle

[Scottish Mag 3]

Steve Harper is frustrated at the "infuriating" injury that is threatening to keep him out of tonight's UEFA Cup tie against Palermo.

 

Rookie goalkeeper Tim Krul is poised to make his Newcastle United debut in Sicily, with manager Glenn Roeder set to rest Harper and keep him fresh for the visit of Sheffield United on Saturday because of a niggling groin injury.

 

Harper has been carrying the problem for several weeks, and United's hectic fixture list means it has not had time to heal between games.

 

The 31-year-old keeper said today: "The injury is not getting any better, and it's not getting any worse.

 

"It's restricting me. I'm kicking at 80%, but I'd rather take the kicks myself than leave us short at the back.

 

"It's infuriating - it just won't go away, though I wish it would, and with us playing two games a week it's not going to go away."

 

But Harper is determined to play through the pain barrier in the absence of first-choice Shay Given, and he will be back in goal on Saturday.

 

He added: "I've waited a long time for this chance, and I'm going to soldier on."

 

Harper's understudy Krul will be facing Serie A's in-form team, with Palermo currently joint top of the league.

 

Harper added: "We came in on Monday and weren't aware Palermo had won 2-0 at the San Siro and were top of the league.

 

"It's going to be a very tough tie, and having the league game on the Saturday makes things even tougher."

 

Harper, however, admits that Newcastle need league points more than anything right now.

 

He said: "It'll be tough, but the important thing - whatever happens tonight - is to come through with as few injuries as possible and get the lads fresh for Saturday.

 

"I don't know what the manager's intentions are, whether he'll prioritise one or the other. But whatever happens tonight will be irrelevant come Saturday when we need three points."

 

Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock will be looking to exploit any jaded legs on Saturday, and Harper is expecting a high-tempo start from the Blades.

 

Harper said: "Neil Warnock will know we're going to be tired after we travel back tomorrow, and they're going to come out of the traps and go for us.

 

"But we can't think about Saturday until tonight's out of the way. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."

[Gemmill 44242]

What was the point in signing Pav if we're gonna play Harper injured? Give him a week off to let the groin thing clear up ffs before it goes completely and we lose him for a month.

[David Kelly 1219]

What was the point in signing Pav if we're gonna play Harper injured? Give him a week off to let the groin thing clear up ffs before it goes completely and we lose him for a month.

Don't be daft. When has that ever been the Newcastle way?

[Isegrim 9707]

What was the point in signing Pav if we're gonna play Harper injured? Give him a week off to let the groin thing clear up ffs before it goes completely and we lose him for a month.

 

The P-Word.

[Guest alex]

What was the point in signing Pav if we're gonna play Harper injured? Give him a week off to let the groin thing clear up ffs before it goes completely and we lose him for a month.

'Planning'

[Alan Shearer Is God 0]

Steve Harper is frustrated at the "infuriating" injury that is threatening to keep him out of tonight's UEFA Cup tie against Palermo.

 

Rookie goalkeeper Tim Krul is poised to make his Newcastle United debut in Sicily, with manager Glenn Roeder set to rest Harper and keep him fresh for the visit of Sheffield United on Saturday because of a niggling groin injury.

 

Harper has been carrying the problem for several weeks, and United's hectic fixture list means it has not had time to heal between games.

 

The 31-year-old keeper said today: "The injury is not getting any better, and it's not getting any worse.

 

"It's restricting me. I'm kicking at 80%, but I'd rather take the kicks myself than leave us short at the back.

 

"It's infuriating - it just won't go away, though I wish it would, and with us playing two games a week it's not going to go away."

 

But Harper is determined to play through the pain barrier in the absence of first-choice Shay Given, and he will be back in goal on Saturday.

 

He added: "I've waited a long time for this chance, and I'm going to soldier on."

 

Harper's understudy Krul will be facing Serie A's in-form team, with Palermo currently joint top of the league.

 

Harper added: "We came in on Monday and weren't aware Palermo had won 2-0 at the San Siro and were top of the league.

 

"It's going to be a very tough tie, and having the league game on the Saturday makes things even tougher."

 

Harper, however, admits that Newcastle need league points more than anything right now.

 

He said: "It'll be tough, but the important thing - whatever happens tonight - is to come through with as few injuries as possible and get the lads fresh for Saturday.

 

"I don't know what the manager's intentions are, whether he'll prioritise one or the other. But whatever happens tonight will be irrelevant come Saturday when we need three points."

 

Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock will be looking to exploit any jaded legs on Saturday, and Harper is expecting a high-tempo start from the Blades.

 

Harper said: "Neil Warnock will know we're going to be tired after we travel back tomorrow, and they're going to come out of the traps and go for us.

 

"But we can't think about Saturday until tonight's out of the way. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."

 

Thank god, Pav/Krul should start against Sheffield Utd.