Stephen Ireland has admitted that he is happy "to feel wanted" after signing a new deal with Stoke City.

The 27-year-old midfielder, who joined the Potters from Aston Villa in January, committed his long-term future to the Potters on Tuesday.

Ireland's fresh contract at the Britannia Stadium is due to expire in 2017.

"It's important for every player to feel wanted and to be a part of a family and to be honest I haven't had that for a long, long time," he told Stoke's official website.

"Thankfully I have felt that warmth here at Stoke and truth be told I couldn't really be in a better place than I am at the moment."

Stoke's Premier League campaign resumes on Saturday when they travel to struggling Cardiff City.