Frustrated Ireland desperate to repay Magpies faith

MIDFIELDER Stephen Ireland is desperate to repay Newcastle’s faith in him after belatedly making his debut.

The 24-year-old Irishman has been a frustrated bystander for much of the past two and a half months after arriving from Aston Villa on loan in January with a knee injury and then picking up a thigh strain as he neared full fitness.

He finally got his chance in a black and white shirt 69 minutes into the club’s hard-fought 0-0 draw with leaders Manchester United on Tuesday night, and is now determined to make up for lost time over the last five games of the Premier League campaign.