The 33-year-old goalkeeper has spent much of the past 11 years sitting in the shadow of Republic of Ireland international Shay Given.

However, the only survivor of Kevin Keegan's first reign as Magpies manager took full advantage of his close friend's injury woes last term to get in 19 top-flight starts - one more than he managed after briefly ousting Given as number one during the 1999-2000 campaign.

Harper has regularly been linked with a move away from Tyneside, although his lack of action at times has not worked in his favour.

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But he has always been persuaded to stay at St James' Park, and believes the events of the last few months have justified his decision.

He said: "Looking at my time here, it seems a long time since 1999-2000, and even though I managed more league and cup matches that season, this has been my best in the Premier League and obviously I am delighted at that.

"All I have ever said was that I wanted to play week in, week out. In the last 18 months, I have played the best part of 45 games. It's all I ever wanted to do."