Aston Villa's Scott Carson, on loan from Liverpool, is in the squad for the European Championship qualifiers against Israel and Russia.
And some feel that Harper, had he been Newcastle number one, could have been an England international.
Is Harper Good Enough For England?
Coach Steve McClaren is expected to choose between Paul Robinson and David James to play in goal, despite unimpressive starts to the season by the squad's two most experienced keepers.
The days when England had the best stoppers in the world are long gone, as you only have to see how many few English goalkeepers we have in the Premiership.
Gordon Banks and Peter Shilton were both regarded as the best in the world during their time as England No 1, but the standard has dropped alarmingly.
Harper has had his chance to move away from St James' Park, most notably to Glasgow Rangers. But he felt he would be second choice at Ibrox, just as he was at St James' Park.
Has it been a career wasted?