Wolves have been dealt a blow after top transfer window target Scott Sinclair snubbed the Championship leaders in favour of a move to title rivals Birmingham.

The Chelsea winger has joined Blues on an initial month’s loan and could line-up against Mick McCarthy’s side in Tuesday night’s rearranged FA Cup third round tie at St Andrew’s.

Sinclair, 19, was top of McCarthy’s January shopping list after impressing in loan spells at Plymouth and Crystal Palace last season.

McCarthy has also been forced to look elsewhere for a midfielder with £2m-rated Marvin Elliott apparently staying at Bristol City.

Elliott has been on McCarthy’s radar, but Robins chairman Steve Landsown insists the former Millwall man won’t be leaving Ashton Gate.

“We’ve looked after Marvin, he’s on a long-term contract and he’s happy at Bristol City. We don’t want him to go anywhere,” said Lansdown.

“We’re not in a position where we have to sell and we want to improve our squad, not see it reduced. ”

Wolves, who travel to face City a week on Saturday, have moved on with their search for central midfield reinforcements. But their revised plans do not include a move for Southampton schemer Andrew Surman, who has been linked with a £2m move to Wolves.

The former Walsall loan player is not thought to be on McCarthy’s hitlist, with the manager pursuing other targets, with Watford’s young Irishman John Joe O’Toole earning mentions in despatches.