Harper: We will lure big names

May 7 2008 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

NEWCASTLE United may not be able to offer Champions League football to prospective new signings but they are still a big draw for prospective transfer targets, according to goalkeeper Steve Harper.

Kevin Keegan’s admission that he will not be able to break into the top four with United during his three years in charge of Newcastle has highlighted just how difficult it will be for the club this summer.

But long-serving shot-stopper Harper thinks they can still compete with the best in the land in the transfer market – with Keegan himself (pictured right) one of their main assets. The United man believes the change in mood around St James’s Park since Keegan took over – in addition to their improved form – has made prospective signings sit up and take notice.

“Kevin has lit the place back up again, which is what he does. You saw with the reaction he got after the Chelsea match what the people here think of him,” he said. “We need three or four players to improve the squad and push us back into the top half of the table, just to see how far up we can go. We look forward to the summer.

“The manager has gone on record saying that we’ve got a good quality squad, but just not enough strength in depth for the winter months, when there are a few players in the treatment room and you need a couple of players in every position. That’s what we’ve got to try and get. It’s been a positive couple of months.”