Irishman has been told he has no future in the Midlands.
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Unwanted Aston Villa midfield player Stephen Ireland is close to joining newly promoted Championship outfit Doncaster Rovers this summer, according to reports in the Daily Mirror.
The former Republic of Ireland international has been told by Villa head coach Paul Lambert that he is now surplus to requirements at Villa Park and can start looking for a new club for next season, with the 26-year-old having already been made to spend preseason training with the club’s reserves alongside fellow Villa outcasts Darren Bent and Shay Given.
The Midlands club are understood to be desperate to get as many high earners off the wage bill as is possible before the summer transfer window slams shut once and for all for the year on Aug 31, with veteran keeper Given having already agreed to move to the Keepmoat stadium on a season-long loan next campaign.
And now it looks as though Given’s compatriot is set to follow suit by also dropping down a division this summer after just three seasons at Villa Park.
Ireland moved to the Midlands in August 2010 from Manchester City on a four-year deal that cost Villa £8 million, however, his signing has been a disaster for the club, with the attacking midfield player featuring in just 55 matches for Villa in that time.
However, now it appears as though Ireland’s miserable time in the Midlands is coming to an end.