Stephen Ireland's career has fallen off a cliff in recent years, but the former Manchester City star is keen to get back into the game.
He has not seen any competitive action since he lined out for Stoke City in the Premier League in 2018. The midfielder spent two months at Botlon Wanderers later that year but left the club without making an appearance. He has now been a free agent for over 18 months.
Ireland has recently been training with League One side Swindon Town and it had been expected that he would sign a deal with the recently promoted side. He would join fellow Irishman Noel Hunt at the club, who is currently their assistant manager.
However, while the Swindon would like to sign him on a permanent basis, the player's financial demands have stalled any potential deal.
Swindon Town manager Richie Wellens told BBC Wiltshire that Ireland's excessive wage demands are becoming a major stumbling block.
Noel Hunt has been dealing with Stephen because he knows him from his Ireland days and stuff like that.
ADHe's spoken with his agent, the agent asked for too much money originally so I just told Noel to go back with a different offer and see if he can go there.
It has to be in our favour, it has to work both ways. We're doing him a favour in terms of getting him up and running because I don't see a massive long queue of clubs willing to take him.
But also he'll be doing us a favour because he does have certain qualities that will improve us so we'll wait and see.
At 34-years old, Ireland may not be offered too many more opportunities to get back into the game at a decent level.
He probably shouldn't pass this one up, especially if he is to fulfil his goal of working his way back into the international fold.
