Wolves braced for David Jones exit

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy is braced for David Jones to run down his contract - but declared the midfielder could still remain at Molineux.

The 26-year-old's three-year deal expires this summer after talks on new terms stalled in the autumn.

Newcastle, Bolton and Blackburn have all been linked with the midfielder, who is now free to sign a pre-contract agreement with a non-English club and negotiate with interested teams.

But McCarthy is expecting the £1.2million signing from Derby in 2008 to box clever for the next six months.

He said: "The club offered him a contract, he declined the contract and it's not going to be improved. That's where we're at.

"I'd have thought it was his prerogative to see his deal out and see what's out there. Who's to say he doesn't sign for us next year? And why should we get all uptight about that?

"He's looking to hopefully improve the terms of his deal by playing well, or he'll go somewhere else, but the only way he can do it is by playing well."

McCarthy also insisted Jones' commitment won't waver.

He said: "Some haven't tried a leg in the past when they're coming out of contract, but not David.

"I would trust him with the keys to my house."

Jones is one of several first-teamers whose contracts expire this summer along with veterans Jody Craddock and Marcus Hahnemann and out-of-favour left-back Matt Hill, who is on loan at Barnsley.

McCarthy feels it could work in Wolves' favour as the players look to impress the club - or new employers.

He said: "In a strange way players end up playing even more for their future.

"There's this feeling that players won't do anything about it because they're out of contract. But I don't see that in Jones at all.

"I see a real honest-to-goodness professional footballer."