Scholes: Stoke right to offer Ireland new deal

Stoke City fans may be slightly bewildered at seeing the news that Stephen Ireland has been handed a new contract, but chief executive Tony Scholes has a simple answer – it is the right thing to do.

The Irish midfielder missed the entirety of last season with a broken leg, but that has not stopped the club handing him a new deal so he can complete his rehabilitation.

This is not the first time Stoke have made this goodwill gesture, with Mamady Sidibe and Andy Wilkinson both offered new deals in similar circumstances in recent memory.

Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images

And Scholes backs Ireland to force his way back into Mark Hughes’ plans next season.

“Stephen has been forced to put his career on hold after suffering a very serious injury in training through no fault of his own,” he said.

“He’s working incredibly hard to get himself back to full fitness and we felt that it was only right to offer him a short-term contract to give him peace of mind while he continues with that process.

“Stephen is grateful for the support we have shown him and we look forward to hopefully seeing him pull on a Stoke City shirt again in the near future.”