HARPER SET HIS SIGHTS HIGH

Newcastle keeper Steve Harper has set his sights on the Barclays Premier League's top six once again ahead of Sunday's clash with West Ham at St James' Park.

The Magpies' encouraging start to the new campaign was dented on Monday when they went down 1-0 to Derby at Pride Park, their first defeat of the season.

But Harper said: "This year, for the first time in a long time, we have got competition and strength in depth in every position, and that can only be good for everybody.

"It's not going to happen overnight. There are a lot of new faces in, a lot of people out at the end of last year and the club is changing from top to bottom.

"It's going to take time, but it has been an encouraging start."

Nolberto Solano insists there will be no split loyalties if he makes his West Ham debut against his former club.

The 32-year-old had two spells at St James' Park before moving south on transfer-deadline day, although he is yet to make an appearance for his new club.

"I am looking forward to going back to Newcastle, if I have the opportunity to play," he said.

"I will be professional because I am a West Ham United player now. Hopefully our good form can continue because the team is trying to finish well."

Harper's a diamond geezer - Allardyce
Given has missed the opening two games of the season with a groin problem, and the goalkeeper will again be absent at the Riverside Stadium on Sunday.

But Steve Harper has ably stood in for Given, and was many people's man of the match against Aston Villa last Saturday when he pulled out two superb saves to deny John Carew, Martin Laursen and Nigel Reo-Coker to help Allardyce's side keep their first clean sheet of the campaign.

And Harper's contribution did not surprise Allardyce, who believes the 32-year-old – who excelled during Given's absences last season – will benefit from another run of first-team games.

"Steve put in a good, solid performance (against Villa)," Allardyce told the Gazette. "He didn't have a lot to do, but one save when we needed it was very important at that time.

"Every game, he gets a little sharper and his concentration and focus gets better. He got good protection from the back four as well.

"Certainly the save from Reo-Coker was a save that saved us a point that we deserved.

"We didn't deserve to lose, but at that particular time, we would have found it difficult to come back from that.

"He pulled off the save when it was needed and that shows the level of quality and concentration he has."

Allardyce went on to label loyal Harper an "absolute diamond" for his patience, with the Easington-born player having spent much of the past decade in Given's shadow.

He added: "I don't think there is a better deputy in the Premier League now for two reasons: one, the quality of him as a goalkeeper, and two, the unbelievable amount of patience he shows.

"In reverse, I don't think you would find Shay Given being as patient as Steve Harper has been.

"He is an absolute diamond for us as a football club in terms of the problems you come across by having two very, very good keepers.

"One ultimately gets frustrated and really wants to leave, and to replace a No 2 is equally difficult as replacing a No 1.

"But, at the moment, he's the No 1 and playing very, very well."

Allardyce is currently looking at bringing in another goalkeeper as cover, with no date yet for Given's comeback.