 STEVE Harper has been pushed forward as a surprise selection for England’s World Cup squad as Chris Hughton insisted there is no chance Newcastle United would be top of the Championship without him. Harper has been in sensational form for the Magpies this season as he finally emerges from the shadow of former number one Shay Given to prove his own quality as a first-choice goalkeeper. Newcastle have already kept 11 clean sheets this season, and Harper has been central to that impressive statistic with a string of impressive saves which have stunned Hughton. With the England goalkeeping position far from secure because of injuries and a loss of form, United’s manager suggested Fabio Capello (pictured right) might want to have a closer look at the 34-year-old he believes is in his prime. “What he has shown is that we are a team which is four points clear of second spot and 10 points ahead of third and what we have still needed are quality saves at vital times,” said Hughton, who is also well aware of Harper’s positive influence as a senior player on a small, close-knit squad. “Without him, we might not have that. What he has done is, he is a goalkeeper who has matured and I think he is at his prime at this particular moment and the types of saves he is making are not easy ones. “Generally they are reflex saves and, of course, that all stems from being at the right place at the right time. “We are very grateful, even going back to the Sheffield United game when he made an outstanding save which enabled us to get the win.” Hughton will never be the type of manager who deliberately hypes up his players or his own achievements, but he is full of praise for Harper’s contribution – and he hopes he is not being ignored by the national side just because he is playing in the Championship. The goalkeeping position is potentially a troublesome one for England ahead of the World Cup in South Africa next summer and it would be nice to see Harper given a chance to show what he can do in the build up to the tournament. Hughton added: “Of course it is the England manager’s prerogative. “He has to pick who he wants, but if I look at Steve Harper's performances for us I don't think there are so many better than him. “Should Fabio Capello pick him? The best answer for me is that I am speaking about our own player and I think he is in top form at the moment. “I think he is a goalkeeper who has been such great value to us, and certainly we would not have the amount of points we have at the moment if it was not for him.” Newcastle’s opponents this evening Coventry City have failed to win any of their last seven games and manager Chris Coleman is under pressure as a result. However, a win for the Sky Blues tonight would relieve the doom and gloom which potentially makes the trip to the Ricoh Arena an even tougher one for the Magpies. Typically, though, Hughton only cares about his players and their preparations as he refused to dwell on the perilous nature of Coleman’s position. He said: “I think what we will be up against is a very spirited side. The fact Newcastle are going down there, it will generate, I am sure, quite an atmosphere in the stadium and I would think it is the type of game their players will want to play in . “My honest thought is Chris Coleman is a very, very good and experienced manager. My only thoughts are making sure we have a team which will be up for the fight and are able to get something from the game. Anyway, it is not my problem if his job is under threat.” | 
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