Hendrie returns to Stoke

The 29-year-old spent three months at City earlier this season, but returned to Villa at the start of the month and had looked likely to move to Lancashire before today's announcement. "We have agreed everything with Villa with regards to bringing Lee back," said Stoke chief exec Tony Scholes. "We were desperate to sign Lee before Saturday but problems occurred". It apparently spells the end of the Chavster's career at Villa Park, although Martin O'Neill did not completely close the door, saying: "I told Lee I couldn't guarantee him a start. I was in no rush to send him out of the door at Villa but would not prevent it from happening if an opportunity came along. I had no axe to grind with Lee or anyone."