Maierhofer set to return to Wolves

Wolves misfit Stefan Maierhofer could return to Molineux after his loan club Duisburg revealed they have refused to pay a £1.3million fee for him.

The 6ft 8ins Austria forward has been on a season-long loan at the German second division club, but they are not prepared to pay for a permanent transfer.

Duisburg sporting director Bruno Hubner said: "The contract will not be extended further. Duisburg cannot pay the release clause."

Maierhofer arrived for £1.8million in August 2009 from Rapid Vienna, where he scored an impressive 39 goals in just 50 games.

But he flopped in England, failing to impress after scoring on his debut at Blackburn.

After being sent off at Everton, he fell out of favour after being quoted as being critical of the physical nature of Wolves' training regime before spells out with a hernia and a calf injury then an unsuccessful loan at Bristol City.

As it stands, the 28-year-old will be due back at Compton for pre-season training unless Wolves can offload him beforehand.

Maierhofer has been moderately successful back in more familiar territory, scoring seven goals in 21 games for Duisburg, who he helped to the German cup final, the DFB Pokal, where they lost 5-0 to Schalke at the weekend.

The Austria international had two months out with a broken metatarsal, but said: "My ambition is to play in the top tier. My time in Duisburg is probably over."