Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Mick McCarthy’s search for a new centre-half is continuing, although the club have denied they have made a bid for Sunderland’s Danny Higginbotham.
Jody Craddock broke his foot during the 4-1 victory over Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday and McCarthy is keen to recruit a replacement.
eports suggested a £1.25?million bid for 29-year-old Higginbotham had been accepted by Sunderland and that Wolves were in discussions with the player.
Those reports appeared to be premature but the former Derby County and Stoke City defender is one option being considered by McCarthy, who has also been linked with another move for Celtic defender Bobo Balde, despite saying unequivocally last week that his interest in the French defender had ceased.
Meanwhile, McCarthy admits all he can do is sit back and cross his fingers as five of his players are involved in international matches this week.
Wolves have made a promising start to the season but McCarthy could certainly do without any of his players returning to training on Thursday injured.
Winger Michael Kightly came on as substitute for the England under-21 side in their 2-1 over Slovenia on Tuesday night, while Andy Keogh is with the Republic of Ireland senior team for tonight’s game in Norway, and Wayne Hennessey, Dave Edwards and Sam Vokes are all involved with the Wales under-21s tonight in their crucial European Championships qualifier with Romania.
However, having been manager of the Republic of Ireland, McCarthy is philosophical about international weeks.
“Five are away but there’s nothing I can do about it – I don’t worry about things I can’t effect,” he said. “They’re all good lads who will do everything correct in terms of the preparation for their game and looking after themselves coming back here. I’m not worried about it.
“They’re all back on Thursday and Friday and it doesn’t bother me at all. Whingeing about it gets you nowhere, all you’re doing is laying the foundation for an excuse on Saturday if we get beat and I’m not like that. I never have been and I never will be. Wouldn’t all the clubs like to have five international players going away?
“You can take two views on it: I’d love to have five players good enough to play international football, but then you don’t want them going away playing international football! Let them go, and if they come back injured, I won’t be happy about it but I’ll play someone else.”
