Daryl Murphy is ready to aid the Toon Army’s Premier League quest.
It’s safe to say that Murphy’s move to Newcastle United has not worked out the way he would have hoped, so far.
The Republic of Ireland international, who scored his first goal for his country in what was a crucial equaliser against Serbia in September, is ready to put his injury woes behind him.
The 6′ 3″ striker has only made one appearance for Rafa Benitez’s men since his late summer move to the north-east and that came in a 2-0 EFL Cup win against Wolverhampton Wanderers at St. James Park in September.
No doubt the former Ipswich Town striker knew he would have a fight on his hands to stake a claim in the starting XI before he agreed to the switch.
The Magpies have a pack of strikers that wouldn’t look out of place in many Premier League sides with Dwight Gayle, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Ayoze Perez are all battling it out for a starting place.
However, surely Murphy would have expected to have made more than one appearance after nearly three months on Tyneside but the reasoning for this was a calf injury he picked up 24 hours after he made that appearance against Wolves.
In quotes appearing in ChronicleLive, Murphy explains just how exasperating it has been sitting on the sidelines for so long.
“It’s been very frustrating because when I signed here I was fully fit and ready. I played one game and then picked up an injury literally the next day. It has been very frustrating for me sitting in the stands and watching the lads do well. You want to be involved and help the team.”
This injury, which also sidelined him from Ireland’s recent World Cup qualifier against Austria, has kept him out since and it is only now that Murphy is available for selection. He is now ready to pay back some of the £2.5 million Newcastle paid for his services.
Murphy is confident that his experience in this division will prove beneficial. This, in addition to Rafa Benitez’s fondness of squad rotation, means Murphy’s next chance shouldn’t be too far away.
“Definitely, I am just itching to go now. It is looking good. In this league, it is about consistency and we have had that so far. With the squad, we know the gaffer can change things at any time and he can bring on players who are just as good as the players who are playing.”
Murphy had a run out this week for the club’s Under-23 side, when he netted a goal with Rafa Benitez looking on in the stands.
He hopes that goal can act as the much-needed kick-start for his Newcastle United career.
“I think the main thing was to get some game-time. I needed that, I haven’t played for quite a while but the goal was a little bonus.”
As we saw with Ireland’s most recent qualifier, the scarcity of strikers is something of a cause for concern. .
And Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill will be hoping the Waterford man can secure a place in Newcastle’s side in the hope that if he can play well this season, he will be involved in Newcastle’s Premier League return when they likely get promoted.
Dick Clerkin makes his GAA Hour debut to talk about a wonderful career and argue passionately with Colm Parkinson over Sky Sports GAA. Subscribe here on iTunes.
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