Wolves facing fight for Freddy

Alan Pardew is prepared to invest a chunk of the £16.5m the club made on Darren Bent to land Eastwood - prompting fears that the Addicks may outstrip the £1.5m that Wolves offered a fortnight ago.

After losing out on Scunthorpe hit man Billy Sharp, Mick McCarthy has made Eastwood a priority target - and the striker is keen to make a Molineux switch.

But his enthusiasm will be sorely tested by the Addicks interest.

Meanwhile, Wolves are poised to make a bid for Sunderland striker Stephen Elliott - even if they land top target Freddy Eastwood.

Mick McCarthy is keen on a reunion with the 23-year-old forward, who he helped mould into one of the Championship's most feared strikers after picking him up from Manchester City reserves.

So far Wolves' interest has not extended beyond informal enquiries - but that is set to change with a formal offer this week.

Elliott was a revelation during McCarthy's tenure at the Stadium of Light - and a main reason why Sunderland were promoted during his second season.

The forward has scored 22 goals in 78 appearances for the Black Cats - but has been plagued by injuries over the last two seasons.

He is now injury free but with Roy Keane in the hunt for another striker his hopes of playing next season appear slim.

McCarthy faces a pivotal fortnight in his transfer plans - with Eastwood's future set to be decided by the middle of the month.