With only one league defeat in nine, pressure on Stephen Bradley's position at Shamrock Rovers has eased somewhat in recent weeks. Having not conceded a goal in four games, the Tallaght club are now reportedly interested in bolstering their attack. Recruiting one former Irish international by way of Joey O'Brien, the club are now seemingly looking to free-agent Anthony Stokes in effort to double that tally.
Becoming something of a footballing troubadour since his 2016 move away from Celtic, the 29-year-old has turned out for Hibernian, Blackburn Rovers and, briefly, the Greek club Apollon Smyrni. Dogged by disciplinary issues, his most recent spells with Hibernian and Apollon Smyrni concluded with both clubs deciding Stokes' behaviour did not meet the criteria they of their players.
Yet, according to The Sun, Shamrock Rovers are keen to bring Stokes back home to Dublin during the current transfer window.
Once one of Ireland's most promising young footballers, a recent article in The Sunday Times demonstrated the high regard he was held in among England's top clubs:
When [Darron Gibson] was signed by Manchester United in 2005, club scouts told his family that he was on their five most wanted list of 15-year-olds around the world, the others being Gerard Pique, Giuseppe Rossi, Freddy Adu and Anthony Stokes.
Whilst Gibson decided to move to Manchester United, Stokes was instead recruited by Arsenal in the same year.
Should he decide to join Shamrock Rovers, Stokes will once again team up with Joey O'Brien; a player Stokes will know from international duty with Ireland.
Three years older than Stokes, O'Brien's move to the League of Ireland coincided with a series of career-threatening injuries. By comparison, recent years have largely left Stokes looking for any port in the storm.
