Hughes keen on permanent Ireland deal

Stoke City manager Mark Hughes is hopeful that the club can sign Stephen Ireland on a permanent basis, Sky Sports understands.

The Irish midfielder moved to the Britannia Stadium on a season-long loan on transfer deadline day, and has impressed – not least in the 3-2 victory over Chelsea earlier this month where he scored one and created another.

Hughes knows only too well of Ireland’s potential, having worked with him at Manchester City where he played for five seasons ahead of his move to Aston Villa back in 2010.

He was named City’s Player of the Season under Hughes in 2009, and the Villa Fan’s Player of the Season three years later, though he fell out of favour under manager Paul Lambert, and is unlikely to be offered a new deal when his contract expires at the end of the season.

The 27 year old is ineligible to face his parent club when Stoke host Villa tomorrow afternoon.