New Wolves manager Kenny Jackett wants to keep hold of former Blues loanee Richard Stearman, according to tabloid reports this morning. However, the player himself is said to be less than keen to play at League One level and would prefer a return to Portman Road, where he spent a successful spell during the second half of last season.
Boss Mick McCarthy was delighted with Stearman’s displays while at Portman Road but wouldn’t be drawn into discussing his possible return on a permanent basis with the 25-year-old having a season remaining on his contract at Molineux.
Speaking in April, McCarthy said: "He’s a Wolves player and I wouldn’t even begin to talk about it because it would be unprofessional and unfair.
"What I would say is that he has done very, very well. He has been excellent. But he’s a loan player, he’s not my player. Wolves might want to take him back, somebody else might fancy him the way he’s played for me.”
The right-back or central defender is likely to command a not insignificant fee, while matching his Wolves wages might also prove a stumbling block for Town with McCarthy’s budget understood to be tight and the Blues looking in the main at Bosman free signings this summer.
Scotland international Kirk Broadfoot, who is expected to leave Blackpool and become a free agent at the end of the month, has been linked with Town on a number of occasions and like Stearman plays at right-back and centre-half.