Wolves boss still fears Ebanks-Blake exit

Wolves have turned down offers for their 11-goal top scorer and Stephen Ward from Championship clubs.

Crystal Palace want £1m-rated Ebanks-Blake but it's not yet clear which club is pursuing Ward.

Saunders is waiting anxiously to see if there is another offer for the striker before the tomorrow's 11pm deadline, after Wolves travel to Leicester.

But the Molineux boss insisted Wolves are still working on a deal to bring in a new signing – and he wants Ebanks-Blake to end the speculation by signing a new contract.

"We've had quite a big bid for Sylvan and there will be a point where you have to say 'yes' because everyone has his price," said Saunders. "I asked the chairman if we could keep him because you can't replace strikers who are scoring unless you have £3m or £4m.

"So we have turned the verbal offer down and, hopefully, they don't come back - we have been told they might not.

"But the nearer we get, the worse it is because I have got a feeling we'll get a couple of calls at the last minute that we'll have to say no to.

"As for Wardy, he's our only left-back and there are only two or three available who I feel could play in our team. People forget some Premier League players who are out of favour are on £40,000-£50,000-a-week."

Saunders admitted his dilemma over Ebanks-Blake: "If a club makes a ridiculous offer, I've got a list of replacements but they might not come or they might have gone elsewhere.

"It's a limited market. There are lots of waifs and strays. I'd rather the window shut."

Asked if Ebanks-Blake could stay, Saunders said: "Yes. I hope he signs a new contract. I've talked to him about it. But there is a line, where if the fee gets that big with him having six months left on his contract, that the club has to make a decision.

"And if we lose him, we've got to sign someone else."

Saunders is still working on a signing, adding: "Jez Moxey is getting on with it and, if it happens, it will give us a lift."