Mick McCarthy today declared the delaying of Molineux’s redevelopment will be to the long-term benefit of Wolves.

Some anxious fans have seen Thursday’s announcement of the stalling of phase two – the rebuilding of the Steve Bull Stand – as a sign of a lack of ambition by the club.

Privately, Wolves are confident the entire three-phase £40m project will be completed and it is just a question of when and not if.

However, the opportunity to upgrade their Compton Park training ground now was seen as too good to turn down.

Wolves will pay £6m to convert the Sir Jack Hayward Training Ground into a category one facility, which will enable the club to attract the best youngsters in the country.

And McCarthy, who could now benefit from extra investment in the team, said: “The opportunity to build the training facility is a one-off and, if it doesn’t get done now, it may never happen.

“The ability to build the next stand is there and, from my understanding, it was always going to be a long-term plan anyway.

“But it’s important they do it in a way it should be done.”

McCarthy added: “If we’re going to gain category one status with the academy and keep improving, it’s important that gets done.

“And if it means the stand has to be delayed, so be it.

“There’s a good stand already there, but there isn’t a category one academy here that we can use if we don’t proceed with the training ground.

“So it’s vital to the club’s long-term development and that’s going to strengthen the club, without a doubt.”

Meanwhile, McCarthy has revealed striker Sam Vokes may be sold this month.

But the Wolves boss will wait until he finishes any incoming business before deciding the future of the 22-year-old, who is in his 25-man Premier League squad and has recently returned from a loan at Burnley.

“There has been a fair bit of interest – notably to buy him,” said McCarthy.

“Burnley would like to take him back but I’ve also had interest from elsewhere.

“He’s got to find a home and play regularly.”

Regarding new signings, McCarthy said: “Nothing is in the pipeline at the moment.”