Stephen Ireland to defy pain for Villa

The Irish playmaker broke his arm against Southampton at the end of last month but returned to the starting line-up against Fulham with a cast on his wrist to enable him to play.

And Ireland, 26, confirmed that even though the injury continues to cause him some discomfort he will soldier on for the claret and blue cause.

"They said the recovery would be six weeks, but after three and a half I could play with a temporary cast, so I'm doing that at the moment. It' still broken, but they've said I can play," said Ireland.

"I still feel a lot of pain with it and I'm conscious of it, but I just want to play as much as I can. I don't want to be out any longer so I'm happy to do that, even if it is a bit uncomfortable.

"I'd rather play through the pain than not play at all, because I really want to be in the team as much as I can this year.

"It was horrendously sore, it was more awkward for me to be able to move it, and so for running it was uncomfortable because I wasn't able to do anything with it.

"It's an annoying injury because you don't play football with your arms! And it is frustrating when the rest of you feels able to play.

"I suppose if I had to get injured, it was definitely the right time in the international break because it meant I had two weeks to get right and didn't miss many games."

Ireland also spoke of his determination to nail down a regular place in the starting line-up having been instantly recalled by Villa boss Paul Lambert when he was fit again.

"I'm back now and I think if I can get a run then it's my shirt to lose and I'm trying to play every minute of every game from now on, that's my goal for this year," said Ireland.

"I think now I've got myself in, I'll make sure I stay in the team. I've not had a consistent run yet, but that's up to me I guess."

* Young Villa midfielder Daniel Johnson made his debut for League One Yeovil Town as a second-half substitute against Shrewsbury last night after he joined the Glovers on a one-month loan deal.