Hendrie joins Stoke on loan

Stoke have signed out-of-favour Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie on loan.

The 29-year-old has played just seven minutes during Villa’s impressive start to the Barclays Premiership campaign since Martin O’Neill took over from David O’Leary during the summer.

Stoke have beaten off interest from Coca-Cola Championship rivals Crystal Palace and QPR, now managed by former Villa boss John Gregory, to give Hendrie the opportunity of first-team football.

His arrival will be a big boost to Tony Pulis’ side who have won one of nine league games so far this season and are in the relegation zone.