Source: Daily_Mail
Alan Pardew says Stephen Ireland can earn permanent move
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has promised Stephen Ireland he still has time to earn a permanent move to St James's Park.[LNB] The on-loan Aston Villa midfielder has been out with a knee injury since joining Newcastle in January and he suffered a fresh blow last week with a thigh strain which ruled him out of his debut against Everton. [LNB] Out of Toon: Ireland has yet to feature for Newcastle since his January move [LNB]Pardew has already ruled him out of the trip to Stoke next week. The former Manchester City man is looking to quit Villa Park after failing to win a regular place under Gerard Houllier, prior to his temporary move to Tyneside. [LNB]Pardew, armed with the ?35 million Andy Carroll transfer kitty, wants to strengthen his Newcastle squad in the summer and he is certain to have first option on Ireland. [LNB]But with less than two months to impress the Newcastle manager, time appears to be running out for the former Republic of Ireland international. [LNB]Pardew, however is relaxed about Ireland's prospects. Pardew said: 'He is under a little bit of pressure because there aren't many games left, but when you've got a player of Stephen's character, I don't think that is a bad thing. [LNB] Setback: The on-loan midfielder suffered a thigh strain last week [LNB]'He's still got time to impress me because I still think there is a chance of something permanent here for Stephen. Things at Villa aren't going too well. But I want to have a good look at him before he goes back. [LNB]'He is a player who has played on a big stage in the past, it's not like he is coming from a team which isn't high profile. [LNB]'Manchester City have been very high profile, there were big players arriving but he was their best player. I think he can handle the big stage here. [LNB]Doubt: Nile Ranger is struggling with a shin problem [LNB]'He's a really nice guy, he's fitted in well. I don't think he needs an arm around the shoulder as such, but he needs our full attention. [LNB]'You can't let him drift. He needs to know he is important and that he could be here. If he doesn't feel important he doesn't play his best. [LNB]'We knew when we took him we knew he was injured but this thigh strain, like anything when you've been out for a long time, you pick up these little injuries. [LNB]'Because of Joey's injury situation, may be we forced him back too early and I think we're at fault a little bit because he's picked up a thigh strain which is unfortunate for him.' [LNB]Ireland is one of five key players on Pardew's injury list unlikely to be fit when Newcastle resume their league programme at Stoke next weekend. [LNB]Joey Barton's thigh injury, which has kept him out for the last two games, will not have healed and striker Nile Ranger is also struggling with a shin problem picked up on the day before the Everton defeat. [LNB]Jose Enrique hobbled off with a hamstring strain against Everton, and Jonas Gutierrez suffered a late kick to his ankle and the pair are also struggling to make the visit to the Britannia.[LNB] Pardew added: 'We've got a lot of people in trouble with fatigue injuries. There is tiredness in the camp and probably mental as much as physical. [LNB]'We did think about taking the players away again this week but may be a complete break from the game wouldn't be the worse thing for this squad so we're going to give them the rest of the week off. Some of the guys aren't local so we'll let them fly off and see their families, spend a bit of time away. Then we'll all be back on Monday for a week's work to prepare for Stoke.' [LNB] Libya in crisis: The key battle grounds, the areas under opposition control and the oil fields that supply 50% of Europe's supplies'Birmingham is a c**p city and Houllier didn't want me!' Ireland's Villa hellIreland blow for Newcastle - knee injury casts doubt over Magpies debut Newcastle United FC news from across the web [LNB] Explore more:People: Jonas Gutierrez, Joey Barton Places: Newcastle, Republic of Ireland, Ireland
