By the full-time whistle, Harper – who made his 100th start for Newcastle United in Monday's home defeat to Chelsea – will have started and finished a season in goal for the first time in his long St James's Park career.

With Shay Given out injured back in August, Harper was between the posts for the season-opener away to Bolton Wanderers, a 3-1 win.

And with Given again in the treatment room, having gone under the knife in March to cure persistent groin problems, Harper has played in Newcastle's last 10 games, helping the team up the Premier League table in the process.

Easington-born Harper said: "It was great for me to start the season.

"I had a good run, then obviously a long run over the winter where I was out of the side.

"However, to come back in at a time when we've picked up is good. I've enjoyed it.

"Obviously, it was disappointing that the run ended, but for once, I'll have started a season, and unless (Kevin Keegan) plays Fraser (Forster), I'll have finished a season."

Harper has never played at Goodison Park, but in his three outings against the Toffees at St James's Park he has never been on the losing side, with all three games drawn.

He said: "I've played against them at home a couple of times, but I've never played at Goodison Park.

"It seems a small pitch and a tight ground. It's very noisy, and their fans are going to be behind them, and I'll look forward to it."

And he is upbeat about United's chances of taking something from the game, despite the fact that European football is riding on it for Everton

They need a point to clinch fifth place ahead of Aston Villa.

"The last time we lost here we bounced back with a seven-game unbeaten run, and we'll be looking to bounce back at Everton," added Harper.

"Obviously, they need a point to get into that fifth spot, and they're going to come at us all guns blazing, but the season's not finished until Sunday night.

"We'll go to Everton looking to get a result."