Harper – expected to play in the home friendly against Valencia tomorrow – is the club's longest serving player, having joined from non-league Seaham Red Star in 1993 during Keegan's first spell as manager.

And the 33-year-old admits his St James's Park career was almost over before it had begun.

Harper suffered a couple of injuries in his first year with the club, but Keegan had seen enough from the goalkeeper in training to convince him he had a future in the professional game, and handed him a new contract.

Harper told the Gazette: "This is my 16th season as a professional – I think it was July 1993 when I signed as a pro.

"I signed a one-year contract, and I actually had a couple of bad injuries in that year.

"I ruptured my ankle ligaments and broke my thumb, so maybe it was only my attitude around the place that got me the opportunity, which I'm still grateful to Kevin for.

"It got me the second year, and it's flown over, to be honest."

With Keegan back in charge, Harper – who hopes to be in the Newcastle side which takes on Manchester United at Old Trafford on the opening day of the season – admits things have come full circle.

Having been a United player during the rollercoaster 1990s, when Keegan's side challenged for the Premiership title, Harper knows just what the 57-year-old is capable of in the managerial hotseat.

And Easington-born Harper – who made his first-team debut under Ruud Gullit, and has gone on to make 111 first-team appearances for Newcastle – is looking forward to the new campaign.

He added: "It was fascinating when it happened (Keegan's return) – it was great. We know what he can do to this place."