However Harper, obviously gutted at being dropped for the match at Eastfields on Saturday, has not given up hope of taking over from Shay Given in the fight for the Newcastle goalkeeper's shirt.
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Harper: "The battle goes on.
"It goes without saying that I was desperately disappointed to be left on the bench on Saturday, but I must say what made it easier for me was that I lost my place to a top-class goalkeeper.
"But I am not one to spit out my dummy and all I can do is keep working hard and try to get back into the team.
"We flew down to Manchester early on Friday morning and had a work-out at the Manchester United training ground, and it was then that the manager told me I was not playing.
"Obviously I was gutted and very disappointed, but I am a professional and I have always stood by the manager's decision in all my time here no matter who it has been.
"What happened on Saturday has not changed things between me and Shay.
"We worked together in training yesterday and we were pushing each other all the way.
"That is the only way to do it and we both feel the benefit of the fact that not only are we rivals, but also big pals.
"As far as Saturday was concerned, nobody was more disappointed than me that we lost and it was so disappointing that we did not capitalise on Oba Martins giving us the lead."