Newcastle's Steve Harper says he is facing two of the biggest games of his career after being pitched into a scrap for Premier League survival.The Magpies keeper, who celebrates his 33rd birthday on Friday, has spent almost 15 years at St James' Park, and despite having to play second fiddle to Shay Given for most of the last decade, has enjoyed his fair share of the limelight.

The Easington-born stopper was between the posts for the 1999 FA Cup final, but was unable to prevent Manchester United from marching on to their unprecedented treble, and also has Champions League victories over Juventus and Dynamo Kiev to his name.

However, he admits Monday night's visit to Birmingham and the clash with Fulham at St James' Park next Saturday will be among the most important fixtures the club has played during his time on Tyneside.

Harper said: "The next two games, at Birmingham and at home to Fulham, are the biggest the club has had in a long, long time.

"We have got to get a minimum of four points from them. We cannot afford to lose either of them because they are two sides who are below us.

"We have got to go to Birmingham looking to win the game, and then we have got to beat Fulham at home."

Harper's assessment is a reflection of the depths to which Newcastle have sunk in recent months after a run of 12 league games without a win.

They last collected all three points at Fulham on December 15, and have only three draws to show for their efforts since.

That disastrous return has left the Magpies perched precariously in 15th place, just three points better off than Bolton in 18th.

Victory at Birmingham - City lost 2-1 at St James' in December - would come as a major boost, although Alex McLeish's side turned in a spirited display in a 4-2 defeat at Portsmouth in midweek and are equally desperate for the points.

A clean sheet for Harper would lay a firm foundation, but his previous visits to St Andrews have proved less than enjoyable.

The keeper was sent off in a 2-0 Worthington Cup defeat there in October 1999, and tasted defeat in the same competition at the same venue 13 months later, this time by the odd goal in three.

He will get a chance to gain revenge for those reverses because of Given's continuing groin problems as manager Kevin Keegan attempts to pick a side to get a positive result from a small squad.

James Milner will miss out for up to three weeks with the foot injury he suffered at Liverpool last weekend, while Emre and Stephen Carr are both still working their way back to fitness.

However, striker Mark Viduka could start a league game for the first time since January 2 after shaking off calf and hamstring problems, while midfielder Joey Barton is available again after missing the game at Anfield.

The 25-year-old is yet to produce his best form on a sustained basis for the club he joined in a £5.8million switch from Manchester City last summer.

However, Keegan, who worked with him during his time as City boss, has little doubt about his worth as a player.

He said: "He is a player who, a little bit like Mark Viduka, gives us something we haven't got.

"With the small squad we have got, we need everybody fit and trying to get into the side and making the competition tough.

"I am delighted to have him back."

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