Villa boss challenges Stephen Ireland
Saturday 27th August 2011, 11:30AM BST.
Alex McLeish wants Villa midfielder Stephen Ireland to recapture his “world-class form” of two years ago.
Ireland’s days at Villa looked numbered when he was loaned out by the-then manager Gerard Houllier to Newcastle for the second half of last season.
But the slate has been wiped clean for Ireland and another outcast in Stephen Warnock since McLeish replaced Houllier in June.
Warnock has regained his first-team spot and Ireland, an £8m signing from Manchester City a year ago, completed his first 90 minutes of the campaign in the 2-0 victory over Hereford in the Carling Cup on Tuesday.
McLeish said: “Stephen has a lot to offer. A couple of years ago that guy was verging on world-class stuff (with Manchester City). It’s about him recapturing that kind of form.
“We will try our best. We will keep trying. We’re not about to give up on big investments like Stephen. He’s a very important member of the squad.”
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