Stephen Ireland could be set for a shock return to former club Newcastle in January, according to talkSPORT.

Fellow Premier League strugglers Aston Villa are also thought to be interested in signing the 29-year-old, who currently plies his trade for Stoke City under Mark Hughes.

Ireland spent a short spell on loan with the Magpies back in 2011, where he made only two appearances in a black-and-white shirt.

The Irishman is currently sidelined with a hamstring problem, but he is set to make a return in and around the January period.

Ireland hasn’t started a single game for the Potters this campaign, with Mark Hughes opting for the likes of Bojan, Walters, Arnautovic and Shaqiri instead.

It is believed that he could only leave on a loan deal, as his current contract with Stoke doesn’t expire until 2017.

This move would surprise many, as Ireland doesn’t really fit Newcastle’s transfer policy due to his age.