There may be an injury to Steve Harper, and Burnley manager Brian Laws has made a statement saying that there is an injury at Newcastle, which has put a spanner in the works, in their attempts to sign Newcastle 22 year-old goalkeeper Fraser Forster on loan.
Steve Harper – is goalkeeper injured?
Burnley’s Wallsend-born manager Brian Laws, who would appear to carry out his transfer business through the gossip press, which is very unlike Chris Hughton, said today:
“It’s no secret that we are looking to bring in another goalkeeper and I think most people are aware Fraser Forster was our target,” (only because he told everybody who would listen)
“However, unfortunately due to an injury at Newcastle, it’s not possible to move that on at the moment.” “We understand Newcastle’s predicament and they can’t let Fraser leave until they have assessed that situation.”
“We are waiting to see how that develops but clearly we may have to look at alter-natives to strengthen our goalkeeping area with the new season less than three weeks away.”
A more discreet Chris Hughton wouldn’t comment this morning on the situation regarding the Newcastle goalkeepers.
Steve Harper was seen to be excercising his calf during the first half in Saturday’s 3-0 victory at Carlisle United, which could suggest a pulled muscle perhaps.
Tim Krul came on at half-time, but that was probably already planned, and Steve would have hardly played the full game on Saturday in any case.
Steve may not even be injured, but since Laws has made the statement there will be specualtion – I’d hate to have to trust Brian with any secrets – that’s for sure.
Harper is very aware of the challenge from the two youngsters – Fraser Forster and Tim Krul – for the Newcastle number one jersey – and had said before Saturday’s game:
“My sole goal for the next few weeks is to get myself as fit and sharp as possible, and start the game at Old Trafford on the Monday night,”
So this news about Harper could be nothing – and caused completely by the rather indiscreet Brian Laws’ statement.
Oh well – something to write about, we suppose.
Comments welcome.
Written from Plymouth, England.
28 comments so far
JohnNUFC
Jul 20, 2010 at 10:51 AM
Comment #1Anyone know if there’s any truth to this?
If Harpsy is injured I can’t see it being the worst thing to happen us, Krul is a more than competent replacement and a good run in the team for him would be great for us.
punk skunk...
Jul 20, 2010 at 10:54 AM
Comment #2So, you wanna go into the premiership with a pretty much, unproven bairn in goal?..
…Great idea!..
…Have a little think, FFS!..
Ericles
Jul 20, 2010 at 10:56 AM
Comment #3More media speculation perhaps. Even if Steve has a slight injury we still have two good stand-ins. CH decides not Brian Laws(less) who comes and goes at NUFC. Any more on Sigurdsson and some of the others mentioned earlier? Has Ashley found out what day of the week it is yet or that the season is starting up again soon?
punk skunk...
Jul 20, 2010 at 11:07 AM
Comment #4http://www.nufc.co.uk/articles/20100720/carroll-gets-the-number-nine_2240137_2096603?
JohnNUFC
Jul 20, 2010 at 11:07 AM
Comment #5@punkskunk
he’s 22, not 16, hardly a bairn
where did you read in my post that I wanted to go into the prem with him in goal?? its july! the prem starts in a month and a run in the team doesn’t mean handing him the no1 shirt for the season
anytime he’s been called upon he’s done unbelievably well, remember @west brom? n
nothing wrong with giving a deserving player a chance. germany might have shown that they were on to something there
lesh
Jul 20, 2010 at 11:15 AM
Comment #6Completely off thread but apropos the less enlightened members of the Newcastle Untited community who seem to be hell-bent on bringing the club and its fans into disrepute even before the season’s started.
http://www.metro.co.uk/news/835587-newcastle-united-fans-slammed-for-raoul-moat-chants
Although a media report, there must surely be a grain of truth in this report – hopefully, those who were at Carlisle on Saturday may be able to comment on the article’s accuracy?
To think that recent events, both in Northumberland and Cumbria have been tragic and resulted in the deaths of many who have left behind grieving family, friends and relatives.
If this is true, it’s absolutely shameful behaviour and those responsible who may have regretably been wearing Newcastle United colours ought to be banned from attending any games ever again.
lesh
Jul 20, 2010 at 11:19 AM
Comment #7Re Punk @ 4……
That’s a really shrewd piece of man-management by Hughton – it should keep Carroll with us and give him a real incentive to live up to the no 9 shirt.
punk skunk...
Jul 20, 2010 at 11:20 AM
Comment #8In goalkeepin’ terms, he’s a bairn..
…In the experience stakes, he’s a bairn…
Loads of people have been askin’ for Krul in goal…
…If i need to spell out the connotations or what i may mean by bairn…I’m wastin’ me time…
…Not sayin’ Krul ain’t a top prospect, but…
punk skunk...
Jul 20, 2010 at 11:22 AM
Comment #9How Lesh,
make or break for the lad…
lesh
Jul 20, 2010 at 11:32 AM
Comment #10Agreed punk……. just as it was for messrs Shearer, Rooney, Owen and other teenagers put in at the deep end.
Of course, the ones I’ve mentioned prospered in the role and many have failed to live up to expectations.
We can but wait and see how things pan – methinks and for no other reason than gut-feel, I think it’ll work out well….. subject of course to other matters in abeyance.
Fingers crossed
punk skunk...
Jul 20, 2010 at 11:36 AM
Comment #11Lesh,
mate, ya’ can’t put rooney in the same sentance as Shearer when it comes to goal scorin’…
…He’s ower hyped, Shearer was a goal monster!..
I know what ya’ mean tho’…Lol!..
…& they cannot send him doon noo, he’s a no.9…Ha!
Geordie-Gerrard7
Jul 20, 2010 at 11:40 AM
Comment #12Big andy got the number 9, get in there son
baxnufc
Jul 20, 2010 at 11:49 AM
Comment #13hes played games before, its not like hes a virtual newbie.. teams by players who go straight into their side not knowing how the team works.
MacToon
Jul 20, 2010 at 11:51 AM
Comment #14Well done to Carroll, rewarded for a fine season last season. My only worry now is that I hoped the “9” shirt would of helped to lure a goal scorer to the club but nevermind well done Carroll.
I heard that Forster wasn’t going to be promised a starting place at Burnley and that’s what stopped the loan.
Great blog Ed, keep up the good work, even though we don’t always see eye to eye it’s still the best Newcastle United blog by a mile.
punk skunk...
Jul 20, 2010 at 11:53 AM
Comment #15Sorry Bax,
But he is a ‘virtual’ newbie, not a newbie, but defo a ‘virtual’ newbie…How many games has he played?..
Oh!…& he’s played for falkirk & carlise…
…So a ‘virtual’ newbie is exactly what he is!..
MacToon
Jul 20, 2010 at 12:02 PM
Comment #16It surprises me how many people would be happy to sell Harper, he’s a fine keeper and had a great season last season and helped to gel the back 4.
Krul and hopefully Forster will get their time but not just yet.
punk skunk...
Jul 20, 2010 at 12:03 PM
Comment #17CherChing!
MacToon!..
G
Jul 20, 2010 at 12:32 PM
Comment #18I agree, it’s just that little too soon for both Krul & Forster, although both of them have a very bright future in the game. Next season I would hope one of them with be pushing SH for the number 1 jersey, but right now, it’s his, he’s earned it.
Newutd
Jul 20, 2010 at 12:54 PM
Comment #19“So, you wanna go into the premiership with a pretty much, unproven bairn in goal?..
…Great idea!..
…Have a little think, FFS!..”
Idiot. I have no doubt Krul would be as good as any. And he is no bairn, he is friggin 22, the same as the classy Joe Hart.
JohnNUFC
Jul 20, 2010 at 1:16 PM
Comment #20Fair point punk skunk,
the lad is inexperienced but its for that exact reason I’d like to see him get games, even if it is just pre-season, and start to assert himself as a proper 1st team ‘keeper.
don’t get me wrong I’m not trying to pick a fight or anything with you just trying to make a fair point that we have to try blood a youngster with obvious potential when the opportunity arises.
the obvious example today is Big Andy Carroll coming through and how well he’s done to get the 9 shirt.
Harper is still a great keeper and should be our no1 but giving krul a chance won’t hurt
Captain Beefheart
Jul 20, 2010 at 1:17 PM
Comment #21AKA: ‘CH takes no chances with even minor injuries.’ And quite right too.
Harper could probably play next game, but he he won’t which is as it should be. This gives FF and TK a chance to go head to head & impress in 45 minutes each. Personally I would go with FF every time on the evidence of an excellent season with Norwich. He commands to box. TK is too much like Shay, a splendid shot stopper that doesn’t boss his defence – on the evidence so far. Hopefully he will learn.
Steve will be back for the next game, or not. Either way Brian Laws can f*** off. Whining prat. For the moment though, Harps is and should be our No1!
Newutd
Jul 20, 2010 at 1:27 PM
Comment #22Very off topic, but since this is the top article:
“Bruce plans Bramble bid- Daily Mail
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is considering a £5million move for Wigan defender Titus Bramble. Would Bramble be a good recruit?”
Hahaha
Go get him Bruce!
punk skunk...
Jul 20, 2010 at 1:28 PM
Comment #23I have no problem with easin’ the bairns in…Just not just hoyin’ them in…The rush is what i object to…
…Thanx for the reasoned responses(john, G, mac), but not the abuse(newutd)…Get a life!..
…It’s only an opinion…
Joe Hart is 23/4, not 22.
22 is a bairn in goalkeepin’ terms…
Howay!
MacToon
Jul 20, 2010 at 1:28 PM
Comment #24The 2 cup competitions would prove excellent opotunities for our younger keepers to get some experience.
MacToon
Jul 20, 2010 at 1:29 PM
Comment #25w/e opotunities means! lol
Mac
Jul 20, 2010 at 3:02 PM
Comment #26Toooooooooooonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
baro
Jul 20, 2010 at 4:48 PM
Comment #27I dont think he is injured.
laurent32 - YFCB Get Out Of Our Club
Jul 21, 2010 at 10:08 AM
Comment #28harper is not injured its actually krul thats injured. one of my mates is an academy player n he told me about it on mon.