Wolves set sights on Beattie deal

Wolves have opened talks with Premier League rivals Stoke over a possible £3million deal for the Potters' out-of-favour striker James Beattie.

Beattie scored seven goals in 18 appearances for Stoke last season but he has struggled to replicate anything like that form this time around.

His only two goals came in a 2-1 win over West Ham in October and a dressing-room bust-up with manager Tony Pulis after last month's defeat at Arsenal added to the uncertainty over his future.

The Potters are willing to offload him this month and Wolves boss Mick McCarthy is interested in taking the 31-year-old to Molineux.

However, although they will have no problems finding the fee, his wages might be an issue.

McCarthy, who has also been linked with Hull City winger Stephen Hunt, confirmed he is actively trying to bolster his squad before the close of the transfer window.

"We've done all we can to try to get the players we want," McCarthy told the club's official website.

"At the moment we can't do it, but I haven't given up on anybody at all.

"I'm sure there will be some business done between now and the end of the window."

However sources close to Wolves have played down reports that 31-year-old Beattie has already held talks with the club about a transfer.

Stoke are also not aware of a possible approach from Wolves, with manager Tony Pulis telling The Sentinel: "I would expect Mick to ring me if they were interested, and he hasn't."

Stoke need him but I suppose if there's differences he will need to go and it would be a bonus to any club in the bottom of the league that could get him as he is when on-form a crucial goalscorer to those types of teams.