Mick McCarthy is ready to take on the challenge of returning Stoke to the Premier League after Paul Lambert’s departure on Friday.

McCarthy has told Stoke, via his representatives, that he would be interested in succeeding Lambert as the club prepare for their first season in the Championship since 2008.

The former Republic of Ireland manager left Ipswich in April after six years in charge and is thought to be one of the early contenders to take over at the bet365 Stadium.

Stoke are considering a number of other options but it is believed that their hopes of appointing either David Moyes, who left West Ham on Wednesday, or former Everton manager Sam Allardyce are remote at this stage.

Lambert’s four-month reign was ended by mutual consent after he was summoned for talks with vice-chairman John Coates.