Harper has been understudy to Shay Given for much of his St James's Park career, and the goalkeeper once went three seasons without playing in a Premier League game.

But Easington-born Harper – who made a personal best 19 league starts this term, beating his previous record from the 1999-2000 campaign - believes his loyalty to the cause has finally paid off.

He has taken full advantage of his long-time rival's injury problems over the past 18 months, and when Given returns for pre-season training, he will know he has a fight on his hands for the goalkeeping jersey.

Harper said today: "It's been a long while coming, though I played more games last year - 25 I think - with all the cup ties.

"In the last 18 months, I've played the best part of 45 games. It's all I ever wanted to do.

"There were two or three years when people forget about you. You're out of sight, and out of mind.

"But I've never shouted my mouth off, I just said I wanted to play week in, week out, and in the last 18 months I've really enjoyed doing that, and long may it continue."

Harper – who has just one year left on his United contract - admits he toyed with the idea of leaving Newcastle in search of regular first-team football.

A number of clubs have enquired about Harper over the years, and Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is said to be a current admirer of the 33-year-old, though Kevin Keegan has warned him off making a summer bid.

Harper, however, has no regrets about staying loyal to the club, despite having missed out on so much first-team football.

He added: "I was told there was a few offers made, and you get whispers of things.

"If you'd asked me 18 months ago, I might have been full of regrets, but the last 18 months have shown it was a good decision.

"All I ever said was I wanted to play week in, week out."
Harper – signed from Seaham Red Star in 1993 - has now made 111 appearances for United in 10 first-team campaigns.