Stoke manager Mark Hughes has said that he hopes to complete a permanent deal for Stephen Ireland this month.

The Cork-born midfielder has been on loan from Aston Villa this season and made 12 Premier League appearances this term, scoring against Swansea and Chelsea.

Mark Hughes, who also managed the 27-year-old at Manchester City, is pushing for an agreement to be reached with Ireland's parent club.

He said: "We've had conversations with Villa. If it does happen it frees up another loan for us domestically that would give us a bit of flexibility."