Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Mick McCarthy was last night on the verge of completing two more signings to bolster his depleted squad, writes Ged Scott.
Blackburn Rovers have accepted an offer for nippy striker Jemal Johnson, while McCarthy is also homing in on a move for young Liverpool midfielder Darren Potter on a season-long loan.
Potter arrived at Molineux yesterday to undertake the first part of his medical and, assuming he completes the rest successfully, he could figure at some stage in Saturday's trip to Burnley. As could fellow 21-year-old Johnson, the American-born, Manchester-bred striker who has the potential to prove a real hit at Molineux.
"Darren is here and he's having his scans," said manager McCarthy. "He's a talented player and we're hoping to wrap things up on his loan pretty soon.
"I watched him last year when he on loan at Southampton and he impressed me.
"He is a modern day centre midfielder, young, hungry and we're happy to see him here at Wolves."
Liverpool-born Potter, who figured in Liverpool's early Champions League outings, has also earned a handful of caps for the Republic of Ireland under-21 side. But it was with Southampton in the spring that he had his most settled run of matches, looking particularly impressive in their late run of four wins in five matches.
Although Johnson did not find the net, McCarthy was sold on the player after his "impressive" performance in Tuesday's behind-closed-doors friendly against Northampton Town. Wolves are not expected to follow up their interest in the other trialist in that game, utility defender Danny Senda.
One potential new face who will not be coming to Molineux after all is Walsall physio Jon Whitney.
After being lined up as a replacement for Preston-bound Steve Kemp, he has decided to stay on at Bescot.
One Wolves old boy on the move yesterday was left-back Mo Camara, who has moved from Celtic on a free transfer to Derby County. And that has renewed speculation that Celtic will make a bid for Wolves' Lee Naylor as his replacement.
Camara had spent the earlier part of the week on trial with Derby's Championship rivals Leeds United, who were confident of landing the 31-year-old on a season-long loan but missed out when he chose to join Billy Davies' side.
