Newcastle boss Pardew may hold back Ireland from Wolves clash

Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew says their clash with Wolves has come too soon for on-loan Aston Villa midfielder Stephen Ireland.

The 24-year-old, who is yet to kick a ball for the club since joining until the end of the season from Aston Villa in January, has an outside chance of making the squad for Saturday's game.

However, because he cannot play in the next game - at Villa - under the terms of his loan agreement, Pardew may leave him out until the following fixture, Manchester United's trip to Tyneside on April 19.

He said: "Stephen Ireland is a tricky one because he probably has an outside chance of being involved this weekend.

"But he can't play at Villa, so it might be worth keeping him back and pencilling him in to be in and around for Manchester United."

Click here for the No1 coverage of all the gossip and transfer news around Newcastle United.

For all the latest football news go to <a href="http://www.tribalfootball.com">tribalfootball.com</a>.