HULL CITY: Harper on radar as Tigers target new number one
NICK Barmby intends to act quickly to solve Hull City's goalkeeping crisis with a new arrival expected within the next 48 hours.
Newcastle United veteran Steve Harper is understood to head City's shortlist, with Wolves' Dorus de Vries also under consideration.
With current options Peter Gulacsi and Adriano Basso now both nursing knee injuries, recruiting a new keeper is an urgent concern.
Gulacsi has returned to parent club Liverpool and will undergo scans today on an injury sustained in the 1-0 defeat to Burnley.
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The Hungarian rookie was replaced by Basso in yesterday's 1-0 loss to Derby at the KC Stadium, but the Brazilian was visibly struggling late in the game with a long-standing problem of tendonitis in his knee.
With Mark Oxley also recovering from a back injury, it meant City were without a back-up on the bench yesterday and will force them into action ahead of Saturday's FA Cup third round tie with Ipswich.
Barmby would not comment on the identity of his goalkeeping target, but the experienced Harper is available.
The 36-year-old has already spent time on-loan at Brighton this season and is currently out of the picture at St James' Park.
De Vries, who City previously courted when he moved from Swansea to Wolves on a free this summer, is also in the frame but Mick McCarthy may be reluctant to off-load his regular substitute keeper.
"A goalkeeper will come in this week without a doubt," said Barmby. "You'll obviously see who comes in but we've looked at quite a few."
The future of Gulacsi at City will depend on his scan results this week.
The 21-year-old has not convinced in the opening four months of his loan at the KC, but remains tied to a season-long deal.
"Peter has gone back to Liverpool for a scan on his knee so we'll leave that to Liverpool to sort out," added Barmby.
"We'll know more about that towards the end of the week, but we'll still definitely be bringing in a goalkeeper."
Comments
by Ambertigerfan
Tuesday, January 03 2012, 8:27PM
“Oxley's back injury has been going on for a year. What gives? He's young, shouldn't he be fit by now? He was bought as a major young prospect; we should have got some value from him, even on the subs bench!”
by Alantf
Tuesday, January 03 2012, 7:02PM
“GarethC2010 - he has been, I would agree. He is now an ongoing sick-note who cannot do the basics of kicking out. His injury also effects his general play as he should have had that ball all day long and would have done. He played because Gulacsi was injured and not even benched.
If you believe that Basso is now far superior to Gulacsi then I am just glad you are not spending the clubs money! Past reputations and performances are exactly that - in the past!”
by GarethC2010
Tuesday, January 03 2012, 6:33PM
“Alantf.... Basso is a far superior keeper to Gulacsi and I can't believe anyone would think otherwise. Gulacsi makes the defence nervous and he doesnt control his area at all. He's a flapper and I would return him to Liverpool.
All in all Harper would be an excellent addition. Plenty of experience and a good shot stopper.”
by Alantf
Tuesday, January 03 2012, 6:17PM
“That is a daft remark - get rid of Gulacsi tomorrow and bring in Harper stilkl leaves us with a past his best, injured back up keeper and The invisible man Oxley - poor strategy methinks!”
by GlenluieJim
Tuesday, January 03 2012, 4:24PM
“Valencian - it depends on the terms of the loan deal and the "terminination" clauses which apply to both clubs - which are usually loaded in the lending-clubs favour, although the loaning club can usually cancel at any time. I would get rid of MrG tomorrow and get in an experienced older keeper (such as Steve Harper) for a few months.”
by valencian
Tuesday, January 03 2012, 2:57PM
“Jason we cannot just send Gulasci back to Liverpool we have a contract to keep him until the end of the season. That is unless all three parties are happy to end the contract which i cannot see happening. If you remember Liverpool wanted us to send Ayala back when they had injury problems and we refused. We can have as many loan players as we want but can only name 5 in the squad so if he is injured it is not a problem to sign another on loan keeper.”
by SteveB1234567
Tuesday, January 03 2012, 1:52PM
“Three injured keepers, how unlucky can you get! Harper should be a good, solid signing if we can pull it off.”
by Alantf
Tuesday, January 03 2012, 1:43PM
“When it comes to goalkeepers we seem to have the most nervous supporters in the country!! Gulacsi is really not that bad, Basso is capable but just as prone to Kerry Katona legs, Duke was a steady guy, but Myhill was the best of the bunch and he got slated at this club.
Harper will be an excellent signing and he will bring many good things to the squad; not least experience, focus and patience to a back four sadly lacking in some of those aspects when at a critical point of the match.
Is Oxley a thing of the past? Will we keep Gulacsi (I hope so!), as Basso certainly looks like a spent force.”
by Jason_3
Tuesday, January 03 2012, 1:24PM
“If we brought a GK in on loan, thn wouldn't they be inelegible to play in the cup? So we still wouldn't have a GK for Saturday. It wouldn't suprise me if we loaned one, and signed one. Then let Gulacsi go back to Liverpool.
Duke was always a good back up, and a good numbr one for a time. In a position like we are in now, he would have been ideal I think”
by suzuki77
Tuesday, January 03 2012, 12:49PM
“He was a nice guy and a good shot stopper but Boaz Myhill always made me nervous when defending crosses and when he had to use his feet, he didn't seem to concentrate on the game either. Steve Harper is solid he is a lot like Shay Given, he would be a very good addition and would bring confidence to the team.”