Town boss Mick McCarthy has been told be will have to pay £1.8 million if he wants to bring his former Wolves defender Richard Stearman to Portman Road, according to reports in the Midlands. The Blues boss was previously reported to also have targeted Stearman, right-back Ronald Zubar and striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake from his former club.

Zubar, 27, who can also play at centre-half, is said to be the most likely to join the Blues, while it’s claimed Town may look to take Stearman on loan given the size of the fee demanded with Wolves reportedly keen to achieve at least the £1.6 million they paid for the 25-year-old when he joined from Leicester in June 2008.

Centre-half or right-back Stearman has another 18 months remaining his contract, while Zubar and 26-year-old Ebanks-Blake’s both have terms which are up at the end of the current campaign.

Asked about the links with the trio last week, McCarthy said: “I signed a lot of those players and I’m sure that I’ll get linked with them, but I would not confirm or deny or give any credence to any stories because they’re Wolves players and I wouldn’t like it if it was done to mine. I’d say that at any time when I’m asked about players.”

The Blues boss, sacked by Wolves in February, returns to Molineux for the first time with Town on Saturday.

Photo: Action Images

Sindre94 added 13:18 - Dec 26 Ebanks-Blake: YES PLEASE!! Excellent player. Stearman: Would steady our ship I think, solid and strong CB. Would like him. Zubar: Watched alot of PL, but never really made an opinion on him, but I will trust Mick if he chooses to bring him in. Now lets beat charlton, COYB
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shoopdelang added 13:38 - Dec 26 Would like all 3 as long as its not ridiculous money
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tractorboy12341234 added 13:59 - Dec 26 Zubar is an athletic full-back who isn't really necessary but replace Scotland with Ebanks-Blake and Stearman would strengthen the defence significantly. Excited for a good second half of the season under McCarthy!
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skhall added 14:03 - Dec 26 If Ebanks Blake can return to his previous best then he would be amazing for us. I'd be wary though as he could turn out to be like Ellington! Will be sad to see Scotland go as he has done a brilliant job for us over the last few years. Never a wow factor player but a player who does a job and does it well.
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runningout added 17:56 - Dec 26 would be slightly odd for all three to join..
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Shauny78 added 18:29 - Dec 26 1.8 for a player they paid 1.6 for 4 years ago...the jury is out on that one...
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RetroBlue added 18:51 - Dec 26 I expect the only player out of that 3 we would be likely to get is Zubar and never E-B in a million years. Excellent players dont just walk away from Clubs for free - except ITFC of course !
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WorcesterBlue added 00:25 - Dec 27 They aren't worth it I promise you (have seen them and no better than what we have (assuming we sign DJC.
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Len_Brennan added 09:24 - Dec 27 I thought Stearman was an excellent centre half a couple of years ago & would be delighted to have him here. I haven't been following his progress enough to know how & why his form has dipped, but he is still quite young, especially for a centre half, so I would trust Mick if he looks to sign him. He could become a rock at the heart of our team for the next 8-10 years. Ebanks-Blake is good to a point, but I certainly wouldn't rate him any higher than DJ or even Chopra when he has his act together (that guy owes our club big time, if Mick can't keep him in line, it's the scrapheap for him).

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StowTractorBoy added 14:12 - Dec 27 Not at all bothered about Stearman if he can't get into the Wolves team then why should he be good enough for us. On top of that £1.8 m is a ridiculously high price. All speculation of which there will be plenty in January.
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Michael11 added 17:03 - Dec 27 Shauny78 Completely agree. How can someone who's been a bit of a fringe player be worth more than he was before after 4 years! After the start he's had then i'll fully support whoever Mick brings in anyway!
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brockleyblueboy added 17:08 - Dec 27 Any update on the Dj Campbell situation???
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