IT’S TYPICAL that Daryl Murphy has had to wait five months to be considered as a starting choice in the Newcastle United first team, and now finds himself wondering if he will be rested for the FA Cup.

Murphy last week started his first Championship game for the Magpies since his summer switch from Ipswich, when he scored the opening goal in a comprehensive win over Rotherham at St James’ Park.

It was his third goal in as many matches in the No 33 shirt and the 33-year-old is finally enjoying himself following his £3.5m move from Portman Road.

And yet, because of an injury to Dwight Gayle, Murphy is not even sure whether he will be in the first 11 at the Kassam Stadium this afternoon.

The Irishman has only appeared in six matches, three starts, in all competitions for Newcastle, but he will be needed on Wednesday against Queens Park Rangers so Rafael Benitez is swaying towards handing the fit-again Aleksandar Mitrovic some minutes in the FA Cup.

“It feels a bit weird,” said Murphy, who didn’t start the replay against Birmingham either for the same reasons. “I was joking with the lads that I can’t even get a game now when I am the only fit striker.

“I had waited long enough and still couldn’t get in! It’s good that I am needed. I am the only fit striker here right now. And I’m the oldest so the manager has to look after me that bit more.”

Former Sunderland striker Murphy, who suffered an injury early in his time at Newcastle, would have preferred more outings since returning to the North-East, but he is not one to complain.

He said: “I am not a player who knocks on the manager’s door when I am not playing. I have never done that in my career. The way I see it, if the manager wants you to play then you play.

“The only thing I can do is train as well as I could and try to catch his eye. The manager has talked to me over my time here and has told me to keep going, encouraging me really. I would get my chance.”

Murphy knew it was going to be hard to force his way into the side with Gayle and Mitrovic already on board, as well as Ayoze Perez. He was always keen to take up the challenge and, having proven a valuable buy already, he is keen to help Newcastle achieve its Premier League goal.

“The manager didn’t have to sell this club to me,” said Murphy. “As soon as I knew Newcastle were interested it was an easy decision. No manager can guarantee that you will play every week and I knew that was the case coming here with the quality of the players here. It was a challenge.

“Thankfully over the last few weeks I have had a chance and hopefully I have taken it. I was always confident of making an impact. I have been in the Championship long enough, I have scored goals in this league and I know what I can bring to this team. Thankfully I got a chance.”

Murphy enjoyed five years in the region after moving from Waterford to Sunderland in 2005 for just £100,000. After leaving the Black Cats he went on to play for Celtic and then Ipswich, and still finds it strange to have ended up across the River Tyne.

He said: “I wouldn’t have believed it. When I left I went to Celtic and it didn’t really work out there. I didn’t play much. I was in a situation a bit like this where the strikers in front of me were banging in goals. I wasn’t getting a chance. That’s a long way back.

“My thoughts coming here were just a challenge. First and foremost it was about getting a chance and helping Newcastle win promotion. That was the main aim, and still is. If we do we will see what happens. Of course I’d like to stay. I have got another year so we will see.”