Stoke offer Stephen Ireland new six-month deal in final chance for him to save his playing career at the club

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Stoke City's forgotten man Stephen Ireland has been offered a contract until the end of the season despite not playing since suffering a broken leg in May 2016.

City manager Mark Hughes wants to give the 31-year-old midfielder a final chance to overcome his injury problems and the club will let him stay for another six months when his current short-term deal runs out in the New Year.

The former Republic of Ireland midfielder's career has stalled after breaking his leg in training 18 months ago.

Stoke City offer Stephen Ireland a new six-month contract and hope he can prove his fitness

He missed the whole of last season and has had abort several comeback attempts this term after signing a new six-month contract on reduced terms at the start of July.

Though working hard in training, he's picked up other knocks and not yet featured for the under-23s.

Hughes previously managed Ireland at Manchester City and is a great believer in his talent if he can get fit.

Ireland has struggled with his fitness since suffering a broken leg in May 2016

Ireland, who also spent four years at Aston Villa, retired from international football at the age of 21 after falsely claiming he had to miss an international to attend the funeral of his grandmother.

It was later speculated that the Cork-born player had been the victim of dressing-room bullying but he denied that and insisted that regional rivalries in Ireland and dissatisfaction with levels of professionalism were the reasons behind his decisions.

Ireland has recently put his £4million mansion in Prestbury, Cheshire for sale.