Ireland unsure on future

On-loan midfielder uncertain as to where he will be next season

Stephen Ireland has refused to speculate on his future, but plans to make the most of his time at Newcastle.

The midfielder is currently taking in a loan spell at St James' Park, with a switch to Aston Villa last summer having failed to reignite his career.

He struggled to make much of an impression in the Midlands and jumped at the chance to link up with the Magpies in January.

An untimely injury delayed his debut for the North East outfit, but he was able to make his bow in Tuesday's 0-0 draw with Manchester United.


He now has five games in which to impress Alan Pardew and possibly secure a permanent deal on Tyneside.

Ireland insists he has given little thought as to what the summer might bring, but admits he will be doing his utmost to impress over the coming weeks.

"I cannot comment too much on my future or where I will be next year," he told the Evening Chronicle.

"That part is out of my hands. What is in my hands is the fact I can work hard and play the best I can."
Amazing

Ireland has been impressed by the standard of Newcastle's squad and believes they are a club who can cement a top-half standing in the Premier League.

He added: "The team is amazing here.

"When you are on the outside looking in you wonder 'is he a good player?'

"However, when you are on the inside you see some of the players here are world class."

 

It will be very hard to prove what a player you are within 5 games. I'm sure Pardew will be reason with him, and probably offer an extension. He's certainly has the ability to make an impact, but the question would be; is he committed?

 

Depending on these 5 games, I'd like to bring him in again for next season on a loan with a view to buying at an agreed price, similar to the deal we have for Ben Arfa.

 

Ben Arfa had something like 3 games and that was enough for everyone to suck his balls in overdrive.

5 games is enough imo, but only if he starts most of them and racks up the minutes so we can see how he performs properly. He'll either have it or he wont. So far so good though. He's played well in the time he's been on the pitch, but again he hasn't had enough time to show us properly.

And if all goes well, I think Ireland will have a soft spot for NUFC and be committed to the cause. He's only ever said nice things, and we've taken him under our wing when **** was tough at Villa.

 

all he has to do is help us beat Liverpool

 

And to be fair to Ireland, we already know that he can play at the highest level in the Premiership - we saw that at Man City. So for me there is no denying his ability. I think for Pardew it's how he sees Ireland fitting into his system next season.

 

I think he would be a good addition to the squad. Fair enough he hasn't had a chance to prove himself, but when you look at his form whilst playing for Man City it's quite evident that he has quality and skill. In the interviews I've read from him he seems down to earth and what's to prove his ability, but i guess the question is ' can he regain his form that he had at Man City ? .

 

Would he be a starting player if we signed him?

 

Difficult to say, if he plays anything like he did at City we'd have to find a way to start him, probably replacing Nolan with time.