McCarthy reveals Sidwell swoop

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy has revealed he almost completed a deal to sign Steve Sidwell this week.

The Aston Villa midfielder had spoken to McCarthy and the two teams had agreed a fee before West Ham offered him the chance to play in his hometown of London.

“I thought he was coming to us,” McCarthy said. “We had a deal on the table.”

“He has a house half an hour from West Ham. He spoke to the lads and wanted to come but West Ham came in and kyboshed it.”

“Maybe they will bring him in and sell Scott Parker. It was the choice of the player.”

McCarthy also denied reports that Scottish striker Steven Fletcher, who only signed in the summer, is set to leave in January.

“All the nonsense about him leaving – there is no chance,” said McCarthy. “I don’t believe he said what was in the paper.”

Wolves play fellow relegation candidates Wigan on Boxing Day and a win could move them out of the bottom three.

Matt Jarvis, Dave Jones, Stephen Hunt and defender Christophe Berra are all ready to return for the clash at Molineux, while defender Jody Craddock is a couple weeks away from returning from a hip injury.