Wolves thwarted in drive to boost squad

Wolves were today facing more frustration in their attempts to strengthen their squad before the transfer window shuts next week.

The club has made tentative loan enquiries for Manchester United forward Mame Biram Diouf and Bolton veteran Kevin Davies.

But both have failed to get off the ground for different reasons.

Boss Mick McCarthy has been an admirer of 24-year-old Diouf, whose last football was in the Carling Cup on November 30, for some time and has had him watched regularly for United's reserves.

But he can't guarantee him regular football with three senior strikers and Sam Vokes on the books.

Now Brest and Hannover could be set to lure the powerful 6ft 1ins forward, whose last Premier League football was a 17-game, three-goal stint at Blackburn last season. It is understood contact was made with Bolton to find out Davies' situation.

But at 34, his age and his £35,000-a-week wages count heavily against him fitting into Wolves' long-established 'young and hungry' policy.

It is understood Wolves would have only considered a loan deal for the veteran, while Bolton are keen on a sale to get him off the wage bill permanently. Sources say Sunderland are now favourites to land him.

There also appears to be no chance of Stoke powerhouse Kenwyne Jones coming to Molineux.

Another player linked with a move to Molineux, Michael Mancienne, will not be returning for a fourth stint with the club. Several reports at the weekend said McCarthy was considering launching a loan move for the Hamburg utility man, especially with Karl Henry starting a three-match ban.

But senior sources say there has been no contact with Hamburg for the former Chelsea player, who had loan spells with Wolves in the three previous seasons before a £4m permanent move to Germany in the summer.

But Henry's suspension does almost certainly mean that Nenad Milijas, who they were considering allowing out on loan, will now be staying at Wolves this month.