Aston Villa have signed Stoke midfielder Glenn Whelan in a deal which could rise to £2m (€2.2m).

A new season and fresh venture looms for Jon Walters but the same desire endures as he contemplates a campaign which could culminate in Russia at the World Cup.

Stoke 0 West Brom 1

Substitute Stephen Ireland scored twice as Stoke pulled off a late comeback to beat Wrexham 3-1 at the Britannia Stadium and avoid being the victims of an FA Cup giant-killing.

Stoke midfielder Glenn Whelan hopes the club can develop some real momentum heading into the second half of the season after rounding off 2014 with back-to-back wins.

West Ham striker Andy Carroll says manager Sam Allardyce is a grandmaster ready to tactically outclass Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho on St Stephen’s Day.

Republic of Ireland international midfielder Glenn Whelan has revealed he defied medical opinion to return to action from a broken leg for Stoke City ahead of schedule.

Euro Championship 2016 qualifier

Stoke 2 Swansea 1

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Stoke salvaged a controversial late point against 10-man Hull after captain Ryan Shawcross bundled home from point-blank range seven minutes from time.

Mark Hughes believes Stoke have provided Stephen Ireland with the “stability” in his life to get his career back on track.

Marc Wilson breezes into the media room at Stoke City’s plush Clayton Wood training ground sporting an Easy Rider T-shirt and feeling every bit the man with a lot of road to travel and time to do it.

Midfielder Stephen Ireland has signed a three-year contract to remain at Stoke.

Stoke boss Mark Hughes is disappointed Stephen Ireland cannot face his old club on Sunday but was not surprised Aston Villa were keen to ensure that would be the case when they let the midfielder join the Potters in January.

Stoke 1 Arsenal 0

Stoke 1 Arsenal 0

Arsenal have Kieran Gibbs back in their first XI and record signing Mesut Ozil on the bench for the Barclays Premier League clash with Stoke at the Britannia Stadium.

Stoke 2 Manchester United 1

Ireland striker Jonathan Walters is in danger of missing his first game for Stoke in 103 games.

Robbie Brady is at risk of missing next month’s World Cup qualifiers through injury.

Stoke boss Mark Hughes believes Stephen Ireland’s match-winning performance against Tranmere was just a tantalising glimpse of what he is capable of.

Stephen Ireland has been praised after scoring his first goal since December 2011 to help his new side Stoke into the fourth round of the Capital One Cup last night.

Former Republic of Ireland midfielder Stephen Ireland is willing to consider ending his international exile under the national team’s next manager.

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce believes Ricardo Vaz Te may have been the target of an illegal approach following a statement issued by the Portuguese winger declaring his disenchantment at Upton Park.

Stoke came from behind with two goals in four minutes against Crystal Palace to ensure Mark Hughes’ first home game in charge of the Potters ended in victory.

Eric Abidal is seeking a new club after being released by Barcelona, but the Frenchman has already been offered an opportunity to return to the Nou Camp.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis is set to leave the club after almost seven years in charge, according to reports.

Charlie Adam has labelled Stoke’s clash with QPR next weekend a must-win game as they attempt to halt the slide that has made relegation a real possibility.

FA Cup Fourth Round: Stoke v Man City

Stoke boss Tony Pulis hailed Ryan Shawcross as the bedrock of the club after the Potters captain today signed a new five-and-a-half-year contract.

Stoke captain Ryan Shawcross has committed his future to the Potters by agreeing a new five-and-a-half-year contract.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis criticised Jack Cork for his reaction to the challenge that earned Steven Nzonzi a red card in today’s 3-3 draw with Southampton and confirmed the Potters will appeal the decision.

Stoke striker Michael Owen could make his first-team comeback against his old club when Liverpool visit the Britannia Stadium on St Stephen's Day.

Everton will be without midfielder Marouane Fellaini for tomorrow’s Premier League clash at West Ham as the Belgium international begins a three-match suspension.

Gareth Bale has recovered from his hamstring injury and is available for Tottenham’s Barclays Premier League game against Stoke tomorrow.

Irish international Ciaran Clark, put another commanding performance in Aston Villa’s 0-0 draw with Stoke City but Potters boss Tony Pulis was critical of the young defender.

West Ham 1 Stoke 1

Stoke 0 Sunderland 0

Stoke boss Tony Pulis hopes Republic of Ireland player Glenn Whelan will be fit enough to make his return for the Potters when they take on Sunderland this Saturday.

Michael Owen is among several new Stoke signings hoping to make their Potters debuts in Saturday’s Premier League clash with Manchester City at the Britannia Stadium.

Michael Owen has been cleared to play for new club Stoke following a decision from the Premier League to approve his inclusion in the Potters’ 25-man squad.

Sunderland have expressed an interest in bringing former Newcastle striker Michael Owen back to the north-east.

The Irish contingent at Stoke had a mixed weekend as one proved a match-winner, another was sent off and a third was forced off injured in the Potters’ 1-0 friendly victory over Orlando at the Citrus Bowl in Florida on Saturday.