Wolverhampton Wanderers have gone back to a familiar Midland poaching ground by making Gary Breen, late of relegated Sunderland, their first signing of the summer.

The last time Sunderland were relegated, Wolves, who were then just about to start their season in the Premier-ship, poached Jody Craddock from the Stadium of Light, while Thomas Sorensen and Gavin McCann ended up just down the road at Aston Villa.

There was also Kevin Phillips, who eventually joined Villa last summer, while Wolves had great value out of Alex Rae when he came to Molineux five summers ago. But Breen's signing has already thrown up more questions than answers.

The 32-year-old Republic of Ireland international has signed a two-year deal, while Wolves remain managerless, prompting speculation that his old Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy may also be about to come to Molineux.

That was last night denied by Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey. But, if it does ultimately prove to be the case, that thought might trigger a much needed uplifting of spirits at Wolves.

Another Birmingham City old boy Jamie Clapham is also training with Wolves, in the hope of securing a contract. But the signing of yet another failed Premiership player on his way down the league ladder - with another maybe to follow - is hardly the "young, hungry players" as advertised in the Wolves' end of season brochure.

And it will come as even less comfort to Wolves fans if Breen continues to perform as badly as he and his team did last season in poor, doomed Sunderland's latest sad relegation campaign.

At least the much-travelled Coventry City and Blues old boy is realistic about the size of the battle ahead of him.

"As an outsider looking in I have found it hard to see why Wolves haven't made the top six in the last couple of years," said Breen.

"We identified them as one of our biggest threats when I was at Sunderland, and now I am excited by the prospect of playing my part in helping the club mount a challenge.

"But things are now different for Wolves, a lot like they were at Sunderland two years ago when a lot of the experienced players left and young players were brought into the side, along with players from the lower leagues.

"It wasn't easy but we won the First Division Champion-ship that year and we were promoted."

Breen was captain of that team having, ironically, been bought to replace Craddock, a week after the latter signed for Wolves. Now they could find themselves paired together in the middle of Wolves' back four.

"I don't really know any of the boys here," he admitted. "But I have played against several of them, and I played against Jody Craddock in schoolboy and youth football, as young professionals.

While Wolves are believed to be close to making a new managerial appointment, there are continued denials about a change of leadership at boardroom level too.

Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric, linked with Wolves last week, has now sold his stake in the club to joint-owner Alexandre Gaydamak for £32 million. But Mandaric says he will be staying at Fratton Park as a non-executive chairman: "I'm not walking into the sunset."