Stoke City manager Mark Hughes has admitted he wants to sign Stephen Ireland to a long term deal at the club.
Ireland joined the club in January, from Aston Villa, but is out of contract in January. Hughes told the Stoke Sentinel he is intent on keeping the Irish midfielder at the club beyond that point.

"It's my intention to try to keep Stephen here," Hughes told the Stoke Sentinel. "I've had a discussion with Stephen and want to make it permanent.

"He hasn't played much of late, but that's more to do with the form of other players."

If Ireland starts today’s Premier League match with Norwich City it will be just his eighth start of the season for The Potters. He has made just three substitute appearance this year.

Hughes insists the club have not yet seen the full potential of Ireland, and he is willing to back the midfielder with a new contract.

"We've seen his quality in training and he is well regarded, with a good past history, and hopefully we can resolve that and make sure he's here for a couple more seasons."