Injured Ireland just wants to play

Stephen Ireland wishes to repay the faith shown in him by Newcastle United, but concedes he is still a month away from a return to football.

Ireland moved on loan from Aston Villa to St James’ Park in the January transfer window, though his arrival went largely unnoticed amid the publicity surrounding Andy Carroll’s departure.

The 24-year-old has not played in the top-flight since early December, having been frozen out by Villa boss Gerard Houllier.

It is the second such time Ireland has fallen foul of his manager, with Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini also snubbing the winger before his move to Villa Park last August.

Now, Ireland says he is excited by the prospect of regular playing time under Magpies boss Alan Pardew, but first he must recover from his troublesome knee injury.

“It’s very frustrating,” Ireland told the Evening Chronicle.

“I’m not saying I want to play every minute of every game – I’m here to be part of the team and the squad.”

“I want to crack on and be involved straight away – it’s not nice sitting in the physio room. You don’t want to watch the lads training, you want to be among it.”

“I saw a specialist the other day, and he reckoned it would be a month with my knee. But I’ve had an injection, so hopefully I’ll be able to do some heavy training. I’m very eager to go.”

“I’m a good healer, and really determined to get going and get myself quicker.”

Ireland, who says he felt unwanted at City and Villa, described his move to the Tyneside club as a ‘massive relief’.

“It’s been very unfortunate to have two managers who didn’t really fancy me,” he said.

“They didn’t want me there, support me or even give me a chance. I didn’t have five or six games in a row in 18 months.”

“You can’t work that way and be out for so long, and then expect everything at once. It’s been difficult. I haven’t played consecutively for five or six games, and hopefully I can do that here.”