Newcastle goalkeeper Steve Harper feared he had played his last game in the Premier League and admits he let his standards slip last season.
The 37-year-old had not featured in the top flight since April 2011, but he replaced the injured Tim Krul on Monday as the Magpies fought back twice to claim a point in a 2-2 draw with Everton at Goodison Park.
Harper admits he "got the hump" and was sent out on loan to Brighton, but is glad to be back in Alan Pardew's first-team plans.
He said: "I didn't think a night like that would come again. It looked a long way away.
"It was probably a little bit my fault as well. When Tim started last season, I admit I got the hump and let my standards slip.
"That's probably the reason I went on loan and wasn't involved. But the first morning of pre-season the manager asked to see me. He said, 'Have you still got it?' I said, 'Yes'.
"He told me if I showed him I still wanted it, there would be an opportunity. So credit to him."
