The Aston Villa midfielder has made just six Barclays Premier League starts this campaign, and hasn't featured at all for the Midlands side since the start of December following a huge fall-out with Gerard Houllier.
On the move: Ireland has agreed to join Newcastle on loan
Ireland was brought to Villa Park as part of the deal which saw James Milner move to Manchester City. But he has failed to capture the form which saw him named City's player of the season in 2009.
Houllier voiced his concern over the 24-year-old when he took charge at Villa Park in September, unhappy that the player did not live closer to the club's Bodymoor Heath training complex.
Happier times: Ireland was named City's Player of the Year in 2009
Celtic and Bolton were also interested in Ireland, but the SPL club baulked at his expensive wages leaving Ireland set to rekindle his midfield partnership with former City team-mate Joey Barton.
Ireland joined Man City as a trainee in 2005 and made over 130 league appearances for the Blues before his summer switch to Villa.
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Explore more:People: James Milner, Gerard Houllier, Joey Barton Places: Newcastle, Ireland
Source: Daily Mail
Source: Daily Mail