Full back Jamie Clapham joined Leicester City yesterday after having his contract cancelled by Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The former Birmingham City and Ipswich Town defender signed for the Foxes until the end of the season after slipping down the pecking order at Molineux.

The 32-year-old signed for Wolves in 2006 after being released by Blues and played 26 times last season before being placed on the transfer list.

He spent three months on loan at Leeds United and had made just one substitute appearance, in the League Cup, this season.

Wolves were also on the verge of signing Colchester United left back George Elokobi last night as the transfer window deadline drew near.

The 22-year-old had been attracting the attention of Wolves boss Mick McCarthy for several months and finally agreed a three-and-a-half year deal.

The Cameroon defender, nicknamed 'Big George', will now compete for the left back berth with Michael Gray and Neil Collins.

19-year-old midfielder Elliott Bennett has been allowed to join Bury on a month's loan.

Bennett, who has spent a loan spell at Crewe Alexandra earlier in the season, follows fellow Academy graduate Liam Hughes, who has recently returned from a loan spell at Gigg Lane.

Also heading out on loan is 19-year-old midfielder Matt Bailey, who is joining Blue Square Premier side Kidderminster Harriers on loan until March 1 initially, with an option until the end of the season.

Meanwhile, McCarthy believes Wolves' recent poor form could turn out to be a blessing in disguise as the increasing expectation weighing heavily on his young players has started to diminish.

McCarthy said last season's unexpected run to the play-offs raised expectation levels around Molineux and heaped too much pressure on his emerging young squad.

After an eight-game run without a victory, Wolves have won their last three games, including the impressive 4-1 FA Cup victory at Watford last Saturday. Wolves travel to Vicarage Road again tomorrow for a Champion-ship fixture.

"Me included, we probably got wrapped up in it all last season when we had a good campaign," said McCarthy. "Then Steve Morgan came in and there was a change in ownership, and the expectation was hyped up.

"We were all talking about it being a possible promotion team. Perhaps that has had some sort of affect.

"Perhaps some of the younger players who did really well should just have been allowed to develop, mature and evolve in the team. They should have been able to just keep getting better without having everyone, including me, talking about promotion.

"We all know that is what we want, but then I think it became expected.

"There were some young players who came in last season who were untried, untested and did really well, and suddenly everyone was expecting them to keep rising, but it has levelled out a bit.

"Maybe a few bad results may have tough-ened us all up, put a few people's feet on the ground."

Meanwhile, Wolves midfielder Charlie Mulgrew has joined League One side South-end United on loan until the end of the season.