Wolves move to sign striker put on hold

Wolves appear to have cooled their interest in signing striker Marc-Antoine Fortune, who spent the second half of last season on loan at local rivals West Brom.

Representatives of the Nancy player claimed last month that Mick McCarthy's side and Fulham were vying for his signature.

But it seems the Cottagers, Hull and Celtic are the main challengers for 27-year-old Fortune.

Tony Mowbray had been hoping to keep Fortune at West Brom on a permanent basis before he replaced Gordon Strachan at Celtic earlier this week. Fortune's representative Michael Manuello confirmed: "I have not heard from Wolves for a long time. The club has to make an offer and we have been patient.

"But if the club does not make an offer, then we move on. We have been waiting for people to come back with an offer."

Newcomer Marcus Hahnemann has warned Wolves to be ready for the "huge jump" they will have to breach to survive in the Barclays Premier League following their promotion from the Coca Cola Championship.

The veteran keeper, who has signed a one-year deal, spent two seasons in the top flight with Reading before they were relegated.

He said: "The speed of the players has a huge influence on how you play the game in the Premier League.

"There are times that you come for a through ball, and you won't get anywhere near it because the guys you are up against are so fast.

"Players in the Premiership tend to be bigger, stronger and faster than those in the Championship and the skill level increases."

By John Curtis