Stoke City are in talks to sign midfielder Stephen Ireland, 27, on a permanent deal from Aston Villa during the January transfer window.

Stoke manager Mark Hughes wants to bring Aston Villa midfielder Stephen Ireland, 26, to the Britannia Stadium.

QPR manager Mark Hughes is considering replacing bad-boy midfielder Joey Barton, 29, with Stephen Ireland, 25.

Magpies boss Alan Pardew is keen to make midfielder Stephen Ireland's loan move from Aston Villa permanent at St James' Park.

Midfielder Stephen Ireland, who has found himself our of favour at Aston Villa, will seal a loan move to Newcastle, with a view to completing a permanent deal in the summer.