Woodgate turns down Wolves

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has revealed Tottenham defender Jonathan Woodgate turned down a loan move to Molineux.

The 31-year-old central defender is battling back to full fitness after a severe groin problem threatened to end his career, and it was thought he would opt for a loan spell in a bid to gain match fitness.

But McCarthy said Woodgate – who has not played for Spurs since November 2009 – turned down the offer to help Wolves in their battle to avoid relegation as he tries to win back a place in Tottenham’s starting 11.

“He doesn’t want to do it, he wants to fight for his place there, so fair play to him,” McCarthy said.

“I haven’t spoken to him, but that’s the message I’ve got back.”

Wolves, who welcome Stoke in an FA Cup fourth-round clash on Sunday, have so far failed to land a big-name player during the transfer window but McCarthy is looking forward to watching the progress of young striker Leigh Griffiths – a recent capture from Dundee.

“He’s scored 45 goals in 90 games and he’s got an eye for goal,” McCarthy said.

“He’s not up to speed here yet, in terms of being a Premiership player, but he’s hungry to do it and he wants to get there.”

“If we can work with him and improve him, we may well have got ourselves a little gem.”