Ian Harte is still mulling over an initial month-to- month contract offer from Wolves – as Jay Bothroyd prepared to sign for Cardiff.

Former Leeds, Sunderland and Republic of Ireland left-back Harte had been due to give boss Mick McCarthy an answer on becoming Wolves’ fifth summer signing before’s today’s annual photocall but the player was not in the picture, fuelling rumours that he had not made a final decision.

The 30-year-old has played in every game since making his debut against Hereford in a three-week trial and is seen as a challenger to first-choice George Elokobi for the No 3 shirt.

“We’re trying to get something together for him to stay for a period of time,” said McCarthy. “He’s coming back to me today.

“I’d like him to be around but he’s been thinking about it over the weekend.

“It would be a short term contract, but I don’t know what he wants to do at this stage of his career. The decision is with him.

“He loves it here and he wants to stay, but it’s up to him what he wants to do.”

McCarthy has wanted left-back cover for some time as he sees Michael Gray and Daniel Jones as wide midfielders.

Bothroyd had a medical arranged at Cardiff today after talks on Friday when he watched the Bluebirds draw 0-0 with Ajax.

Reports in south Wales say a £300,000 fee has been agreed for the 26-year-old, who cost nothing when he signed a three-year deal two years ago.

Ninian Park boss Dave Jones drove Bothroyd back to the West Midlands in time to watch his former team beat Paul Ince’s Blackburn 4-2 on Saturday.

Bothroyd would become Wolves’ fifth senior player to leave this summer after Gary Breen, Seyi Olofinjana, Freddy Eastwood and Charlie Mulgrew, but five remain transfer listed: Rob Edwards, Darren Ward, Darren Potter, Stephen Elliott and Denes Rosa.