Taylor backs Harper England claims

Dec 12 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

STEVEN Taylor has backed the England claims of Steve Harper.

Harper’s excellent form for Newcastle United has coincided with injuries and a drop in form for most of England’s goalkeeping candidates. And Taylor feels that the man who has kept 12 clean sheets this season deserves to be considered in the same breath as top flight stoppers.

“Why not? He is a top, top keeper. There can’t be too many better playing in the country at the moment,” he said.

“When he’s needed he’s got everything – shot stopping, great reflexes, a good organiser. Confidence spreads from your keeper, if he knows his job the back four can relax and play their own game. Steve gives us that.”

Elsewhere in the Championship, fifth-placed Swansea host Nottingham Forest, who are fourth, at the Liberty Stadium with Swans boss Paulo Sousa hoping to resolve the future of midfielder Leon Britton. He is yet to agree the terms of a new contract and Portuguese boss Sousa said: “In the end he was offered the best contract in the history of the club and he did not sign it.

“But, in my opinion, and I think people have started to see this already, it’s important we always think about the squad. Nobody is more important than the squad or the club.”

Swansea will hand a late fitness test to Craig Beattie who has missed the last two games with a knee injury.