STEVE HARPER would like to see John Carver given the Newcastle United job beyond the end of the season and insisted the former number two is more than capable of stepping up to frontline management on a regular basis.

Carver is the current head coach at St James’ Park, but the Magpies hierarchy are continuing their search for Alan Pardew’s permanent successor.

Managing director Lee Charnley placed the 50-year-old in charge until the end of the season and admitted he would wait until the summer if it meant getting his preferred choice.

It isn’t out of the question that the Magpies – who favour internal appointments – give Carver the job beyond this season if he guides the team to a respectable Premier League finish.

Harper was at Newcastle when Glenn Roeder was promoted from his role as Youth Development Manager and placed in caretaker charge after Graeme Souness was sacked, and the Hull City goalkeeper believes Carver can emulate him.

The Magpies have only won twice since Pardew left to take over at Crystal Palace in December, but they remain comfortably in mid-table largely thanks to their pre-Christmas form.

“John was here when I started in the 1990s,” said Harper. “He's always had a passion for coaching. He started young, and he's very experienced. He's coached all round the world.

“I liken it to the Glenn Roeder situation when he was here and he was put in charge until the end of the season. He earned the right to be given the job.

“It's up to John to do that. Being a fan, I would like to see that happen, because if he does get the job, it will mean the team has had a very strong finish to the season.

“It's very much in John's hands. He's black and white through and through. He'll be relishing the challenge.

“It’s up to John and the club between now and the end of the season. Their safety is well assured in the Premier League so there’s no pressure on them now and they’ve got the freedom to go out and play.

“They’ve got a tough run of fixtures to come. It’ll be tough, but certainly when Glenn Roeder stepped up to the academy he would earn the right and he had a lot less experience than John had and John’s been in and around the first team not just under Sir Bobby but recently as well.”

Harper was at Newcastle’s Darsley Park training complex on Monday to hand over a cheque of £2,500 to testicular cancer charity Ballboys. The 39-year-old was inspired by former team-mate Jonas Gutierrez’s fight against the disease and his latest business venture of boxer shorts under the brand name Oddballs see ten per cent of every sale donated to charity.

Harper said: “Sadly, cancer touches too many families, and you hear that you need a positive attitude to beat it.

“In all 22 years of being a pro, I can't think of many people with a more positive attitude than Jonas.

“Even when he was back home fighting it, you saw that big smile on his face. He has a very infectious laugh which fills the dressing room. I'm sure it continues to do so.

“He's a larger than life character. I was there on Wednesday (when Jonas made his first appearance since beating the disease), and I had a tear in my eye when he came on. He got a fantastic reception, and rightly so.”

Harper teamed up with former Scottish rugby union international Richard Metcalfe and Paul Varley to create the underwear line.

Away from the business venture the goalkeeper is working towards a career in coaching with his current deal at the KC Stadium doe to expire in the summer.

“I’m 40 on Saturday and I’ve got my level four now,” Harper said. “I’m an A licence coach and I do enjoy the coaching at Newcastle School for Boys and I’ll look to go into that in the future.

“I’ve had a few calls from interesting parties all over the world as well but we’ll see. It’s not like I’m 30 and my contract is running out. I’m pretty relaxed about it and what the future might hold.

“The focus in the short term is to try and keep Hull in the Premier League for the second successive year.”

Oddballs boxer shorts are available in a range of sizes and, along with plain colours, shoppers can choose from a variety of designs. Two and three pair packs are also available costing £17.99 and £24.99 respectively. For information or to purchase Oddballs boxer shorts, visit www.myoddballs.com