Bolton Wanderers have handed a contract to former Manchester City and Stoke City midfielder Stephen Ireland.

The 32-year-old was a free agent after leaving Stoke in the summer and trained with Bolton initially before picking up a calf injury.

He had interest from Aberdeen in recent weeks but opted to return to Bolton and has signed until the end of the season.

Trotter manager Phil Parkinson said: "Although he's got a bit to do in terms of match fitness, we've got a lot of games coming up and I'm sure he will make a positive contribution."