Alan Pardew puts faith in 'unlucky' Newcastle United goalkeeper Steve Harper In training he's been as good as I've seen him since I've been here and there's every chance he will play against Everton. We still have Rob Elliot as well, who unfortunately got injured and has only just returned. In some respects it probably comes too soon for him to be given a considerable opportunity. There's a good indication that Steve will play. Harper is the last remaining member of the previously influential player's committee which helped former boss Chris Hughton steer the club back into the Premier League after the disaster of relegation in 2009. Kevin Nolan and Alan Smith have both departed, as has another powerful character, Joey Barton, who also dominated the dressing room Pardew inherited in December 2010. But Harper, who has served under 12 different managers during a 19-year Newcastle career, has survived as ever. "He's a strong character," added Pardew. He's certainly played in more European and Premier League games than I have so he's got vast experience and we're going to need that in this period. He's important in the dressing room, he's seen the situations arise and knows what to do and what not to do when you're either winning or losing. That experience will be very important [against Everton].