Harper - We are united

Newcastle goalkeeper Steve Harper insists there is no unrest among the squad despite their current struggles.

There have been rumours of discontent around St James' Park following the recent upheaval on Tyneside.

Reports have suggested a number of players are considering their futures with the Magpies as a result of Kevin Keegan's departure as manager.

However, long-serving keeper Harper says the spirit at the club is good and that rumours of unrest are 'nonsense.'

"We are an easy target at the minute," Harper told Sky Sports News. "People talk about 11 or 12 players wanting to leave.

"I have been in that dressing room for a long time, but recently I have not heard one person say they want to leave this club.

"We are in a difficult position at the minute which a result on Wednesday night would lift us out of.

Tight-knit squad

"We are a small tight-knit squad and I have got to pay tribute to Chris Hughton, Richard Money and Paul Barron in the circumstances they are really working hard and doing a fantastic job to lift the lads.

"But we have got experienced characters in there and there is no splits in the camp, no rumblings of people wanting to leave - that is nonsense to be honest.

"We have got some big players who have seen a lot of things.

"It's up to the older players to express to the younger lads that we are professional footballers and it is important not to get caught up in anything that's going on because it's got nothing to do with us.

"The situation is what it is and we have got to go out there and do our jobs on the pitch."