Harper and Given warned: Watch out for Fraser!

Nov 11 2007 by Neil Farrington, Sunday Sun

...NEWCASTLE boss Sam Allardyce has warned Shay Given and Steve Harper there are THREE keepers fighting for first-team football at St James’s Park.

Fast-emerging teenage prospect Fraser Forster (above) has been hailed by Allardyce as a Premier League star in the making.

The United manager has promoted reserve-team regular Forster to first-team bench duty in Given’s absence through injury rather than recall Dutch starlet Tim Krul from his loan spell at Falkirk.

And Allardyce is in no doubt that Hexham-born Forster, 6ft 5in and still growing, is ready to challenge Given (far right) – sidelined with groin trouble – and Harper (near right) in the long term.

“We don’t need to recall Tim Krul, because we’ve got Fraser – who’s top drawer,” said Big Sam.

“He’s really shown in the reserves a lot of outstanding qualities. He’s young and inexperienced but he looks a very promising young goalkeeper.

“I’d be happy to use him.”