Debut still a shock as youngster Harks back to last week
GOALKEEPER STUNNED BY BENITEZ’S REQUEST FOR HIM TO JOIN FIRST TEAM
NATHAN Harker has spoken about his shock elevation from Newcastle United’s academy to the club’s firstteam training camp in Spain.
The 19-year-old did not have a clue he had impressed Rafa Benitez enough to join the Magpies’ senior squad for their four-day stay in the Costa Blanca.
It got even better for Harker as he was told he would also be making his first-team debut alongside the likes of Jamaal Lascelles and Dwight Gayle.
After playing his first senior game for the Magpies, Harker told the Chronicle: “If you had asked me a week ago if I would be doing this, I would have had no idea, I would have laughed it off.
“It is just unbelievable. Throughout the week I have gained both experience and confidence.
“Everybody has helped me fit in and everybody is easy to get along with.
“It has been really good. I think everybody is very strong on togetherness in the dressing room.
“I think that helped Victor Fernandez and I fit in and take everything on board.”
Looking back on the game, which ended in a 1-1 draw with Royal Antwerp, the goalkeeper added: “We had a lot of chances in the game. It was disappointing the first thing which happened was I conceded but that is football.
“After that, it was just about settling down but I think we could have won it by the end.
“I think it is a big jump from under-23 football to the first team.
“I thought once I settled in I knew what to expect and I carried it out all right.”
Harker conceded the early equaliser but showed good touches with his feet and organised the defence as Newcastle pressed high in the game to try to win it.
Now the youngster is hoping this is just the start of a bright future with the Magpies.
After signing a two-year deal, the teenager now finds himself quite close to the first-team squad and will continue to train with the seniors during the international break.
With Rob Elliot and Karl Darlow carrying knocks, Harker is next in line to take a place on the bench with Freddie Woodman out on loan at Aberdeen.
He added: “I have committed my future to the club.
“Now it is about looking forward to the next year and kicking on from there. We will have to see what happens with a loan next year. “Maybe I can go somewhere where I can play a lot more first-team football and gain more experience. “However, it just depends on how things go. “Freddie Woodman has gone out on loan and it will be good for him to build his experience. “I will just have to see which pathway I take depending on what the coaches think.” Harker was actually applauded out of the Pinitar Arena by the group of fans waiting by the bus on Sunday afternoon. He was also praised by Rafa Benitez in his post-game press conference. Harker said: “Rafa Benitez has been great. “He has helped develop me into a goalkeeper whom he sees being a top player. “He has been really helpful. “I did not have a clue about it until the day before we travelled and just getting that call was great. “I was at home when I got it. “However, on the trip, I settled down quickly and I feel have fitted in well.”
“I will just have to see which pathway I take depending on what the coaches think
Nathan Harker