Wolves boss expects difficult window

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy has conceded it will be a difficult transfer window to recruit players.

The tight nature of the Premier League, with five points separating the bottom half of the table, has led to clubs being cautious in the transfer market, according to McCarthy.

He said: "There's so much at stake when you think what it costs clubs who get relegated from the Premier League.

"No one wants to let players go because they can't get anybody back. If you're a team in mid-table on 30 points they might be thinking they can do some business.

"Charlie Adam is out of contract in the summer and Blackpool have turned £2.5million down - that tells you the value of players.

"They will get nothing for him in 19 games' time but he's more of a value to them to try to help keep them up and get the £30million-plus that comes in.

"That's really difficult, and I guess other players are having a look and think interested teams might be relegated.

"Do they have relegation clauses in contracts? Clubs might want them to have them in."

McCarthy has had plenty of good buys from the Championship before, but doesn't believe he can rely on the same market at this time of year, with so many players unproven.

He said: "There's all sorts of difficulties thrown up. If you look at the best Championship players you think might step up - they're expensive, unproven and untested in the Premier League."

McCarthy also believes continental players can't be relied upon to produce their form immediately.

He said: "As for foreign players, there's loads of them but, as has been proved, it takes them a long time to settle.

"It's very rare for them to 'nail it' straight away. Jelle van Damme didn't and he's a very good player and he was physical as well.

"Ronald Zubar is fabulous now but it took him three months and he's physical.

"Can we wait for March-April for them to settle and play? That's no good and with things like moving house it proves difficult. And anyone who's available is just expensive because of all those reasons.

"We need somebody to come in, help and assist."