Stoke might ask to borrow Stephen Ireland for a bit

According to the twitters of football journalists, Stoke City are interested in taking Stephen Ireland on loan. Apparently Mark Hughes misses him and feels he can fit into his new look Potters side. To that Aston Villa must reply: Borrow? Oh no no. We don't want him back.

In all seriousness, though, if someone -- anyone -- wants Stephen Ireland, even for a few months, a few weeks, a few days, and is willing to pay some of his massive wages, then for goodness sake, Villa should jump at the chance. Ireland was good. For, like, a season. Probably under Mark Hughes. But he's certainly never fulfilled his potential and he's likely to never again see the pitch under Paul Lambert.

Yet the club are still paying him money. So if Stoke would like to pay him money instead, by all means, take him. There won't be one fan mourning Ireland's leaving.