Wolves have held talks with Reading’s James Harper – but any deal is in the balance for the 28-year-old midfielder.

The wide man met with boss Mick McCarthy earlier this week and has now returned to the Royals to continue training.

Speculation was already mounting of McCarthy’s interest in Harper and Reading manager Brendan Rogers has now confirmed Wolves have made a move – although how much they want for the player is unclear.

The Royals boss said: “James travelled up to meet with Mick and there is interest there.

“He went up to speak to them, but now he is back training with us.

“He spoke to Mick and they are keen to get him but at the moment it is still in the balance.”

If Harper signs he will follow former Reading team-mates Kevin Doyle – a £6.5m record signing, and goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann to Molineux this summer.

The 28-year-old came to the Majdeski Stadium from Arsenal in 2001 and has since made 309 league appearances for the Berkshire club.

He would add to Premier League experience to a youthful Wolves squad who are preparing for their first season in the big time in five years.

l Portsmouth have confirmed their interest in Celtic’s former Wolves left-back Lee Naylor.

Naylor’s place in the Hoops side has come under threat from new signing Danny Fox and Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie has revealed the player is one the south coast club are monitoring.

Storrie said: “He is one player we’ve looked at. We’ll see what happens between now and the end of August.”

Naylor has won two Clydesdale Bank Premier League titles and has played more than 120 games since his £600,000 switch from Wolves three years ago.