Stephen Ireland ruled out for the season

Just as it seemed as if this season couldn't get any worse for Stephen Ireland, he has been ruled out for the rest of the season with an ankle injury.

The troubled midfielder, who is on loan at Newcastle United from Aston Villa, picked up a knock to his ankle during the 1-1 draw with Blackpool at the weekend.

The club confirmed that he will not feature in any of the Magpies’ remaining four games this season due to the injury, which occurred in Ireland’s second appearance for Alan Pardew’s side since joining the club during the January transfer window.

The one-time Ireland international has endured a torrid time of it of late. After falling out of favour at Aston Villa, a move to Tyneside looked like it might reignite his stuttering career only to pick up knee and thigh injuries soon after his arrival.

He was then photographed topless with Irish international Leon Best in a Newcastle nightclub the night before a Premier League game and although neither Ireland nor Best were due to be involved, the incident still attracted a lot of negative press as well as the ire of Pardew.

Pardew handed Ireland his Newcastle debut against Manchester United last week and had challenged the talented midfielder to use the remaining games of the season to prove that he was worthy of a more permanent deal with the Magpies.

His future at both Newcastle and Aston Villa now seems uncertain and he could well be seeking pastures new in the summer months.