Stoke City loan signing Stephen Ireland has shut the door on returning to parent club Aston Villa.
Ireland hopes to play his way to a permanent deal with the Potters.
Asked if he thought his spell at Villa was as good as over, Ireland told Sky Sports: "I would think so, although I am still officially contracted to them.
"If I do well at Stoke and they want me at the end of the loan spell - and as I will be out of contract - I think that, yes, my Villa career is effectively over.
"I would [consider staying at Stoke permanently], as my first impressions of the club have been fantastic. Everybody has been so welcoming and there seems to be a great buzz about the place.
"I just can't wait to be a part of it and start playing again on a regular basis."
