Former Newcastle United goalkeeper Pavel Srnicek is delighted Steve Harper is now getting his chance.

"Obviously, I've known Stevie since he was a little boy and we started training together," Srnicek told the Evening Chronicle.

"We still keep in touch, and I'm really happy for him.

"He was always behind Shay Given, and because of that he was not able to show the people he was not a No 2.

"Now, he can show them what a good goalkeeper he is. He is No 1, and he deserves this chance.

"He is a very good goalkeeper."