Soccer: Aston Villa midfielder Stephen Ireland will undergo a medical at Newcastle today, as the Magpies seek to close a loan deal for the Corkman.
The 24-year-old is in the north-east today as manager Alan Pardew looks to bolster his squad for the remainder of the season. There was no official confirmation from the club, but sources on Tyneside are hopeful that a deal can be struck ahead of tomorrow night’s transfer deadline.
Ireland would become Pardew’s second January signing after Frenchman Hatem Ben Arfa completed a permanent move despite not playing since suffering a double leg fracture just four games into a season-long loan deal.
His addition would come as a welcome boost with Alan Smith having been ruled out for the rest of the season with an ankle injury and star striker Andy Carroll struggling to shake off a thigh problem.
Cork-born Ireland, who has maintained his self-imposed exile from international football despite a series of approaches from Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni, has struggled to rediscover his best form since making an €9.5 million switch to Villa from Manchester City last summer.
He made his debut for the midlands club at St James’ Park on August 22, and it was a day he will remember with little pleasure as Newcastle romped to a 6-0 win in which Carroll scored his first Barclays Premier League hat-trick.
If the move goes through, Ireland could make his debut at Fulham on Wednesday evening.
PA
