A year is a long time in football - just ask Steve Harper
It was just over 12 months ago that Newcastle United were prepared to loan out Steve Harper to Championship side Brighton.
Now almost a year on and it is difficult to see what United will do without the long-serving 37 year-old stopper.
With Tim Krul showing he is human and suffering an elbow injury it just goes to show that goalkeepers are always a heartbeat away from a slice of the action.
In my opinion Harper has always been a first class goalkeeper who could have played for his country had things been different.
I observed Newcastle from a different angle when he broke into the team under Ruud Gullit in the late 1990s.
And I was behind the goal when he kept out Jeff Kenna's penalty during a freezing day at Ewood Park in a 0-0 draw as fans chanted his name long into the night at Blackburn.
If Krul does get injured this season then I think most fans will be of the same opinion that he is the obvious option to step into the breach.
Rob Elliot is still in the ranks of course but he can't at this moment in time match the experience and know-how of Harper.
Beneath Harper and Elliot is Jak Alnwick who is clearly one for the future and a player that needs to go out on loan, just like a young Harper did at Gateshead and Hartlepool.
Ironically should Harper play at Everton the roles will be reversed for himself and Krul.
Back in 2010, Harper hurt his shoulder and was replaced by Krul at Goodison Park.
That day they shared a clean sheet.
It all probably seems like ancient history to Harper, but the fact he is back in contention just shows you can never get too carried away with the highs or lows in football.
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Lee Ryder - Proudly born and bred on Tyneside, the Chronicle's chief sports writer has followed the fortunes of the club over the last three decades as a Toon fan and football writer.
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