Wolves hit by Lafferty blow

Wolves have suffered another knock-back in their bid to recruit the strikers for next season's promotion challenge.

Championship rivals Burnley have stressed that Kyle Lafferty, one of three targets on manager Mick McCarthy's hit list is not for sale after rejecting a formal offer from Molineux.

Details of the bid have not been disclosed, other than it being a straight cash offer, but sources at Turf Moor are talking about an offer in the region of £1m

The setback follows similar resistance from Scunthorpe in Wolves' efforts to bring in Andy Keogh's former partner Billy Sharp.

And while the Freddy Eastwood camp remain convinced his transfer from Southend is there for Molineux to secure at a moment of their choosing, efforts to add the two forwards McCarthy wants still have some way to run.Burnley chairman Barry Kilby, speaking about the moves for 19-year-old Northern Ireland international Lafferty, said: "Wolves have been back in touch regarding the availability of Kyle.

"I had an initial chat with Jez Moxey last week when they first expressed an interest and we told them he was not for sale.

"Wolves have made an official offer for the player, which we have rejected immediately. Kyle is very much a part of our plans for the future and I reiterate that he is not for sale."

All of that brought a firm "no comment" from Moxey today as Wolves continue to keep their cards close to their chest following yesterday's opening move in the summer market, the signing of Gillingham winger Matt Jarvis.

The club remain active in their attempts to prise one of Chelsea's young talents out of Stamford Bridge, the England Under 19 defender Michael Mancienne.

He spent the season on loan at QPR and played an impressive role in their successful survival fight before returning to his mother club. Mancienne's first team future at Stamford Bridge is seen as limited.