STEVE Harper is ready to walk away from Newcastle if Shay Given's contract talks earn him a new long-term deal.

Given, whose current contract expires at the end of next season, will open discussions with Magpies chairman Freddy Shepherd this morning.

The Republic of Ireland international is desperate to win some silverware before he hangs up his goalkeeping gloves, but is equally keen to extend his eight-and-a-half-year stay at St James' Park.

That would inevitably harm Harper's hopes of ending his first-team exile. The 30-year-old, who is also out of contract in 18 months time, has made just 31 league appearances in 12 years and, while he counts Given as one of his closest friends, the Irishman's ability has undoubtedly hampered his career.

As a devoted Newcastle fan, Harper is keen to see Given commit his long-term future to the Magpies - even if that would force him to move elsewhere.

"I could leave in 18 months time," said the former Seaham Red Star trainee. "We'll see what happens. If there are people showing an interest, we will see what comes of it.

"I will be 32 when my contract is up and I don't want to retire at 36 having played 130 games or whatever.

"I don't want to tell my children that. You only get one shot at this game and I want something to be proud of.

"But it's a bit of a Catch-22 situation because people will always look at the transfer fee - whatever it might be - and think 'Well he hasn't played for that long'.

"That's why I need half a dozen games to remind people of what I can do. I used to go on loan and I enjoyed it - I would love to do so again."

Shepherd is likely to make keeping hold of Given his number one priority in the second half of the season.

Since moving from Blackburn in May 1997, the 29-year-old has established himself as one of the Premiership's most successful shot-stoppers.

After training alongside him for the best part of a decade, Harper is well aware of his team-mate's strengths. And, with the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United hardly awash with goalkeeping talent, he is surprised Newcastle's board have not initiated contract talks already.

"I'm surprised something hasn't been sorted out before now," said Harper. "The way this Bosman ruling works makes it even more surprising when a player like Shay gets into this sort of situation.

"I don't know if there are talks going on - I don't talk to him about that. But I am sure the club have the matter in hand because it must be a top priority to keep hold of somebody as good as he is.

"I wouldn't argue with anyone who says Shay is the best goalkeeper in European football. Petr Cech is up there, but Shay has gone on to a different level in the past few weeks. If there was anyone better, I would be very surprised."

With Given remaining as reliable as ever, Harper is keen to secure a loan move at the turn of the year. Before that, though, he is hoping to face Mansfield in the third round of the FA Cup.

"I would love to go somewhere and play a dozen games for someone," he said. "You need a spell to get yourself up to speed again.

"I play one in every three reserve games, but I want first-team action. If that was in the Championship, it wouldn't bother me.

"We have got Mansfield in the FA Cup. I played last year against Yeading and Coventry, so hopefully that will be my time. The manager might need to rest players and I'm hoping that will be the case."

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