Stale Solbakken expects to win Wolves fight

Stale Solbakken today insisted he has been given the green light to continue the overhaul of Wolves' squad but his chances of losing some players appear to have hit a snag.

moreThe Wolves boss held a series of meetings with chief executive Jez Moxey yesterday to discuss the way forward after a miserable run of form.

Solbakken is considering a shake-up which could see established names on the way out.

And those meetings with Moxey would appear to be the firmest indication yet that the Norwegian has won the battle to stay in his job – regardless of what happened in today's FA Cup third-round tie at Luton.

He also needs to ship players out and Ipswich want Ronald Zubar, Richard Stearman and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake.

But it's understood the Tractor Boys won't pay either the wages or fees Wolves want, despite Zubar and Ebanks-Blake being out of contract at the end of the season. Stearman will cost £1.8m.

Solbakken however is concentrating on bringing in new signings from home and abroad.

"We're working on that," he said. "It's impossible to say when.

"But we've done our research and we're in a process we're trying to put into practice.

"There's nothing just around the corner but there are some positive signs that we may be able to do something to benefit us both short and long term.

"If we can find the right deal and the right players, there should be money there."

Solbakken remains unconcerned about his own position, saying: "I'd be stupid to say I have the safest job in England at the moment.

"But I'm not worried about my job. I've spoken to Jez a few times and Jez has spoken to the owner. If I don't get the 'other' message, I must be OK!"

Solbakken isn't prepared to compromise on his beliefs and believes he has had long enough to assess the players now.

"Some players have more difficulty with it than others," he said.

"All the players should be able to deal with these changes.

"But we haven't been good enough at mixing what was good before I came and what I wanted to build on, and what we wanted to achieve to take the next two or three steps."

Wolves have allowed Zeli Ismail to rejoin League One MK Dons until the end of the season on loan.

He had returned to Molineux this week.