He returned to the Victoria Ground in January 1995 and ended the 1994–95 season with 28 appearances. Manager Lou Macari used Wallace in a different role in 1995–96 playing him alongside Nigel Gleghorn in centre midfield. It worked well as Stoke reached the play-offs where they lost 1–0 to Leicester City and Wallace won the player of the year award jointly with goalkeeper Mark Prudhoe.
After returning to Victoria Ground in January 1995, Wallace played 28 games for Stoke during the 1994–95 season. Manager Lou Macari used him differently in the following season, pairing him with Nigel Gleghorn in central midfield. This strategy proved successful as Stoke reached the play-offs, where they lost to Leicester City by a single goal. Wallace was awarded player of the year alongside goalkeeper Mark Prudhoe.