Stoke City midfielder Stephen Ireland has been ruled out of his club's trip to Aston Villa due to a clause in his contract at the Britannia Stadium.

Ireland joined the Potters on a season-long loan deal from Villa at the start of the season before that was turned into a permanent transfer during the January transfer window.

It had been thought that the 27-year-old would be eligible to feature at his former club, but it has now been revealed that the former Manchester City man must sit out the derby fixture due to an agreement between the two teams.

Stoke are currently in talks with Ireland about extending his deal past the end of the season.