Wolves still keen on Michael Mancienne

Wolves are still hopeful of landing Michael Mancienne, despite ongoing talks to snaffle Guirane N'Daw on loan.

Ideally, Wolves want to sign both defensive midfielders in what is seen as a vital position by manager Mick McCarthy.

Chelsea utility man Mancienne has always remained a target of McCarthy but now the fee is proving a stumbling block in the bid to re-unite him with his Molineux team-mates from the last two years.

Wolves have long been prepared to pay up to £4m for the former England Under-21 international who played an important role in steadying the ship in the second half of last season on loan from Stamford Bridge.

In any case, Wolves still have to sell before they can buy.

McCarthy wants to have his options covered by the time he has to name his 25-man squad at the closure of the transfer window.

The club's pursuit of another long-term target in the middle of the park N'Daw is complicated by the fact Wolves want the 26-year-old Senegal international on a season-long loan after, so far, failing to secure the incoming funds they want from players they are prepared to offload, such as £2.5m-rated Andy Keogh, Stefan Maierhofer, Matt Hill and Greg Halford.

Maierhofer is wanted on a season-long loan by German second division side Duisburg.

By TIM NASH