One to watch #80: Philip Airey

Name: Philip Airey

Date of Birth:  14/10/91

Position: Striker

Club:  Newcastle

Previous clubs: none

International caps:  none

Newcastle are well known for their centre-forwards and youngster
Philip Airey looks to be a future star of St James Park.  Airey joined
the Newcastle Academy when he was just 10 years old, working his way
through the ranks before making his first team debut as a substitute
on January 8th 2011 in the FA Cup tie against Stevenage.

Airey has been a regular for Newcastle’s reserves in recent seasons
with an impressive scoring record which earned him his first team
call-up under new manager Alan Pardew.  Airey said about his first
team debut “It wasn't ideal circumstances but great that I got on and
I'm grateful for that. I thought I did well the time I was on, had a
few touches and I've got to just keep on pushing myself."

Unfortunately just days after his debut Airey suffered a hamstring
injury in training which kept him out of the team for a number of
weeks.   The timing is a cruel blow for Newcastle who are extremely
short on Strikers following Andy Carroll’s move to Liverpool and Shola
Ameobi out with a long term injury. It has recently been reported
however that Airey is back in training and could get his Premier
League debut before the end of the season.