‘He had a catastrophic injury and I think it shows his mettle’ – Hughes on Ireland return

Stephen Ireland returned to the dugout on New Year's Day for the first time since May 2016.

A gruesome leg break has kept Ireland out of football for the last 20 months but a return could beckon for the Ireland international against Coventry on Saturday. Stoke will head to the Ricoh Arena this weekend for the third round of the FA Cup and Ireland may be in line to return to the pitch for the first time since the Potters loss to Crystal Palace two seasons ago. The 31-year-old was included in the travelling party for the first time in over six-hundred days for the 5-0 mauling at Stamford Bridge to champions Chelsea last week, however, he could make his full return to the pitch on Saturday against the Sky Blues. “Stephen has done really well, he had a catastrophic injury and I think it shows the mettle of the guy to get back to a level that allows me to consider him for games,” the Welshman told Stoke City+. “His attitude since he’s been out is beyond criticism, I had to recognise that a little bit and keep encouraging him. “On his day he’s a quality player and he still has that intelligence in his play that we have seen every day in training since he’s returned to the group." “Never mind the circumstances of other people being unavailable; he was in the squad last weekend on merit because he’s worked exceptionally hard. “We’re really pleased for him; he’s been a bit ham-strung with little niggling injuries and that’s stopped him being able to advance as quickly as he would have wanted too. “At times his enthusiasm to get back quickly was what was leading him to get those injuries, so we hope now he’s over that and he will get a fair crack at it and be an option for us.”