Sterry’s joy at a return to action

JAMIE Sterry admits adrenalin got him through the 90 minutes against Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup, writes LEE RYDER.

The Newcastle Academy product has been sidelined since September with a groin injury but battled back from the treatment room a month early to take part on FA Cup third-round day.

Sterry went in against his old team-mate Adam Armstrong and was one of the better performers on the night as United earned a replay after a late comeback.

After the game Sterry told the Chronicle: “It was good to be back out there. It has been tricky for me and the hardest injury I have had so far and the hardest recovery - but I was happy to be back and playing 90 minutes.

“I was not really expecting to play a full game but I felt fit enough and the adrenalin got me through most of it.

“I felt I played all right. To be back playing usually takes 12 weeks and I was back in eight.

“I had only played 45 minutes against Southampton.

“I would have liked to have played more games before Saturday but the festive period did not result in too many games for the under-23s.”

Speaking after winning his duel against Armstrong, who was fielded on the left side, Sterry added: “We used to play each when we were seven and eightyear-olds so it was good to play against him. I made sure he did not get past me.

“He knows I would have given him a good kick really!”

For all the negativity about the result on Saturday night, it at least gives players like Sterry and Sean Longstaff the prospect of another first-team game sooner rather than later.

Sterry said: “I would prefer to be playing a game in the next round but it is another one next week. It is good to get more game time now. I just have to work through the week.

“It is frustrating we did not put on the best of displays but we are still in the competition so we will go down there now.”

Newcastle now go into the fourth-round draw regardless of their stuttering display against Rovers.

Sterry added: “We will be watching the draw and hopefully we get somebody we have a good chance against if we get through.

“We want to progress. It is giving people a chance like myself, Sean Longstaff and Freddie Woodman.”