Ireland feels settled and 'ready to go' after welcome in Newcastle

Stephen Ireland has promised not to let anybody down as he prepares to make his debut for Newcastle this weekend. Midfielder Ireland has shaken off the knee injury he arrived with at St James' Park after joining the North-east side on loan until the end of the season from Aston Villa a month ago.

With Joey Barton struggling with a thigh injury and Ryan Taylor suspended for three games after his dismissal in Saturday's draw with Bolton, Ireland could make his United bow at home to Everton on Saturday. If so, the 24-year-old is determined to prove his worth to manager Alan Pardew and his team-mates.

"I'm really ready to go, give it my best shot and have a good go at getting the team high up the table," Ireland said. "The manager's worked hard to get me, and I'm definitely going to repay him for his efforts. I don't want to let him or my team-mates down if I get my chance. First and foremost, I want to work hard for my team-mates."

Ireland has been bowled over by the reception he has been given by the fans, which has quickly helped him settle. "I always thought it was a brilliant place to come, and that the fans were appreciative of the players," he added.

"I've had a walk around the city, and the people here are so nice and polite. They come up and shake your hand, and say, 'All the best here'. It is nice, and I've got a good feeling for the place. I've felt settled really fast."

The Wolves manager, Mick McCarthy, admits the form of his centre-back Richard Stearman is preventing him from recalling last season's player of the year Jody Craddock. Stearman has considerably improved the defensive side of his game to become a first-team regular in the battle for Premier League survival. It means Craddock has been confined to the substitutes' bench since recovering from injury.

McCarthy said: "Jody is fit but, as much as I would like him in the team, I can't. Richard has been rock-solid. We all knew 'Stears' could play, could handle the ball well as a player, but we just had to get him to defend. It was a case of defend first and all the other stuff comes with it. He has concentrated on that side of things, has done that side of things far, far better and he has had a very good season.