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Sterry's Birthday Blues
Written by Newcastle Utd
Youngster Jamie Sterry was named on the Newcastle bench against Leicester on his 20th birthday - but was in no mood to celebrate as the Magpies were beaten
By Dan King - Newcastle United Digital Editor
It could truly have been a 20th birthday to remember for Jamie Sterry.
The Newcastle-born right-back was named on the bench for his hometown team for only the third time (and the first time this season) when Leicester City came to St. James' Park on Saturday - but it was the Foxes who were celebrating at the end of the game.
Claudio Ranieri's men went top of the Barclays Premier League table with a 3-0 victory against a Magpies side that, according to head coach Steve McClaren, put in their "most disappointing performance" of the campaign so far.
Nonetheless, it was a personal milestone for Sterry, who signed his first professional contract last summer having been with the Club since the age of ten, and suggests that he has impressed former England boss McClaren over the last few months.
"I found out yesterday," the youngster told nufc.co.uk. "I've been training with (the first team) all week and trained quite well.
"I didn't expect it, but it was some good news - especially on my birthday.
"But it's not about that, is it? It's about the team winning games. It's good in one sense but for the team, we want to win.
"I'm gutted, really - especially being a Newcastle fan. We weren't good enough today, so we're really disappointed."
Sterry - who played in the same United youth team as Adam Armstrong - was an unused substitute on two occasions under John Carver last season.
He added: "I was hoping to be in amongst (the first team) at the start of the season but I had a couple of thigh strains, then after that it was tough with all the players we have.
"Pre-season's massive, I think, for every player and this pre-season wasn't the best for me. I got injured in the first game of the under-21s' tour of Holland, and after that it was pretty tough.
"But I've just got to keep playing games. Hopefully now I can kick on and get in the squad again. When you work hard, that's what can happen."
So after the highs and lows of the afternoon, what does Sterry have planned for the rest of his birthday?
"Nothing much," he admitted. "Maybe I'll go for some food, but (the under-21s) are in training tomorrow and we play on Monday.
"Hopefully we'll get a win against West Brom."