Newcastle goalkeeper Steve Harper to consider loan move

Newcastle United goalkeeper Steve Harper has said he will consider a loan move next season if he cannot establish himself in the first team.

Harper, 37, made five appearances for Championship side Brighton last season, but did not make a single outing for the Magpies in 2011-12.

"Time's running out, I'm not getting younger," Harper told BBC Look North.

"If it's the same situation next year, I would look to go on loan somewhere as you can't get these games back."

The Seaham-born custodian remains Newcastle's longest-serving player, having joined the club in the summer of 1993.

However the emergence of Netherlands international Tim Krul, and the arrival of Rob Elliot from Charlton last season, have limited opportunities, although Harper remains committed to working for a place under boss Alan Pardew.

"My plans are to go back on the 5 July as fit as possible," Harper continued.

"I've been training hard in the two weeks we've been off, training three times a week, because pre-season gets harder as you get older.

"I'll go back as fit as possible and see what happens at the start of the season."