Henrdie makes Stoke switch

The 29-year-old has fallen out of favour at Villa Park, making only one substitute appearance this season, prompting him to request a move. He made a similar threat last term but nobody took him up on the offer but having won only one of nine league games so far this season, Stoke are in obvious need of a boost. A series of niggling injuries has limited the chavster to only a handful of starts over the past two seasons and although in Martin O'Neill's long-term plans, the manager is happy to hold the door open for now.

"Martin spoke to me and said he has me in his plans and when I asked about maybe going out on loan he said it was a good idea," said Hendrie as the sound of party poppers ricocheted around the car park as he left Villa Park. "I want to try to get my confidence back up, and go back and see if they will give me a chance. I need to get back to the form that I had a few seasons ago and prove to myself that I can get back to that level."