Newcastle United boss Chris Hughton has urged England coach Fabio Capello to include Magpies shot-stopper Steve Harper in his 23-man squad for the World Cup finals in South Africa next summer.

Capello has still yet to decide on who will be given the Three Lions' No.1 jersey with Portsmouth veteran David James struggling for fitness as he battles knee and calf problems.

Fellow hopefuls Robert Green and Ben Foster have yet to convince the Italian that they merit their place between the sticks after inconsistent form for West Ham and Manchester United respectively this season.

Harper has been in impressive form this season having finally been given his chance to shine at St James Park following the departure of Shay Given to Manchester City last January.

The 34-year-old has played an instrumental role in the Magpies possessing the best defensive record in the country, keeping an impressive 11 clean sheets, albeit in the Championship.

But boss Hughton believes Harper merits a chance to show what he can do on the international stage, bearing in mind he has played in over 50 Premier League games in the past.

"It is the England manager's prerogative to look at all English keepers," he told the Daily Mirror.

"He has to pick who he wants, but if I look at Steve Harper’s performances for us, I don't think there are many better than him.

"Steve is a goalkeeper that 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.

"He has made all sorts of saves, generally reflex saves, and of course that all stems from being at the right place at the right time."