HAVING BEEN OFFERED another chance to prove himself at the top level, Stephen Ireland could be in line to make his Stoke debut against a former club tomorrow.
The Cork native, who was deemed surplus to requirements at Aston Villa by Paul Lambert, has joined the Potters on a season-long loan and links up with Mark Hughes, the man who arguably got the best out of the midfielder during their time at Eastlands in 2009.
In the four years since then, the 27-year-old has been unable to replicate the form which won him Player of the Year at City but is hoping for a new lease of life with Stoke.
I’m fit and raring to go,” he told the club’s website. “I don’t want to be eased in and I don’t want to have to take my time; I just want to get straight in there as fast as I can.”
“We had a great relationship when I was at City and I’m delighted to have the opportunity to work again with him (Hughes) and his staff, Mark Bowen and Eddie Niedzwiecki, because they did so much for my career first time around.
They are all really are good people, and I mean it when I say that I am excited to be here working with them again.”
First up for the former self-exiled Ireland international is the visit of his old side City, where a lot has changed since Ireland and Hughes were on their books.
And Ireland would love to make his bow at the Britannia Stadium tomorrow afternoon.
“I want to participate in whatever way I can, whether that be for the full 90 minutes or whether it be coming off the bench for the final five minutes.
“Whatever time I get I will give it everything I have. It’s been a long time in the waiting for me so I want to get going and show everyone what I am capable of.”
