Ireland Looking To Push On

Stephen Ireland was delighted to return against Fulham, but now he's looking to really push on this season and be at his best so we can start picking up points.

Speaking to the Official Site Ireland admitted his arm hadn't fully healed yet and he did need the temporary cast on it to play, but after getting his shirt back against Fulham, he's now focused on giving the fans something to shout about when we host Norwich:

'Hopefully I'm back for good now. I went for a tackle and my momentum took me though and I had to put my hand down to push me back up to run again, but my arm just snapped. They said it would be six weeks, but after three and a half I could play with a temporary cast, so I'm doing that. It's still broken, and it's not quite pain free, but it's enough so that I can play pay even if it's a bit uncomfortable. I still feel a lot of pain, but I'd rather play through the pain than not play at all.'

Top marks for his effort on this, if that attitude can transmit to his form and we finally see a consistent Ireland at his best, it'll go a long way for us on the pitch.

He also knows that the consistency is down to him:

'I've not had a consistent run yet, but that's up to me. I'm back now and I think if I can get a run then it's my shirt to lose and I'm trying to play every minute of every game from now on, that's my goal for this year.'

Well it is only down to Ireland himself, if he goes missing in games Paul Lambert will rotate, if he knuckles down, creates, and puts the running in he'll keep his place.

Stephen Ireland Forum Thread.

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