Joey Barton is rated doubtful for the game against Everton on Saturday, so it seems that on-loan Stephen Ireland may get his first start for the club, and at St. James’ Park too.
Stephen Ireland – could make first appearance for Newcastle on Saturday
Barton was a surprise omission from the side last Saturday, after he sustained a thigh injury last Friday in training.
Joey expected to start but didn’t feel right in the warm-ups and he was replaced by Ryan Taylor, who managed to get himself sent off in the second half against Bolton, but that was after he put in a very good shift, in his first game back since last October with an ankle injury.
Stephen Ireland will face some competition from young Danny Guthrie for that right wing position, and Danny has recovered well from his hamstring injury, and will be looking at a chance to impress manager Alan Pardew once again.
The Assistant manager John Carver said today about the injury situation:
“We will know more on Joey soon while the medical staff have a look at him. He is being assessed and they will tell us if he is OK.”
“It has been a good week in training, though, for Shola and Stephen Ireland, and those two have to be looked at as real pluses.”
“Danny Guthrie is also back training and in contention again.”
The next Newcastle game is in a couple of weeks time at Stole City, so if there are any doubts about Joey at all, it’s probably best to rest him this week.
That will ensure he makes a full recovery and will be available for the remaining 9 league games of the season.
At the very least it looks like three players returning from injury – Guthrie, Ireland and Ameobi, who did not participate last weekend, will start on the bench against Everton.
Comments welcome.
8 comments so far
GeordieGerman
Mar 3, 2011 at 12:32 PM
Comment #1Guthrie appears to be an after thought in Carver’s comments. So it looks as if it’ll be Ireland and that is something I’m looking forward to.
GeordieGerman
Mar 3, 2011 at 12:33 PM
Comment #2And just for the sake of it. FIRST…. !
lewman
Mar 3, 2011 at 12:45 PM
Comment #3cant wait til saturday now, i reckon we will win this one but i may be wrong. would love to see ireland score or get a couple of assists.
newcastle29
Mar 3, 2011 at 2:51 PM
Comment #4ED stevie ireland is injured and is not looking like he will play 50/50 at the best! He has a thigh strain!
cyprus
Mar 3, 2011 at 3:02 PM
Comment #5Ed, hope he doesn’t play ‘down that right wing’ position, if he plays, because he will disappoint. His place is right down the middle, alongside Nolan. We don’t have a right winger…
spanishtoon
Mar 3, 2011 at 3:23 PM
Comment #6there are lots of articles at the moment about a player who hasnt even played yet
steve1980
Mar 3, 2011 at 3:41 PM
Comment #7Team for Saturday:
Goal – Harper
Right Back – Steven Taylor
Centre Half – Coloccini, Williamson
Left Back – Jose Enrique
Right Wing – Simpson
Centre Midfield – Ireland, Nolan, Tiote
Forward – Best
ddmacker
Mar 3, 2011 at 5:06 PM
Comment #8I have to say that Stephen Ireland is a waiste of time and money (£70,ooo a week ). He had a good season and a half at MCFC and he’s been moved out of AVFC cos he did’nt or would’nt fit in. To me he is a pointer (“don’t pass it to me pass it to him”?). If he proves me wrong I’ll be happy, but I doubt it. To put him on a par with Joey Barton is pure fantasy again for the teams sake I hope I’m wrong