Stoke City chairman Peter Coates has welcomed their deal for Stephen Ireland.

The midfielder was signed by the Potters on-loan from Aston Villa.

"Friends of mine at Manchester City remember Ireland coming through the system there and he has since had his moments," Coates told The Sentinel.

"His career seems to have gone in the wrong direction of late, but Mark knows the guy well and he certainly has a good pedigree as a player."

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