Irish contingent take a big hit as McCarthy wields the axe

MORE THAN half the sizeable Irish contingent at Wolves were on their way out of Monlineux yesterday as Mick McCarthy swung the axe in the wake of his side's failure to make the Championship promotion play-offs.

Wolves missed out on sixth place by a point and while the former Republic of Ireland manager has since received assurances that he would not be sacked, it seemed clear that he would have to make changes ahead of a renewed drive for promotion next time around.

"We want to freshen things up so we need to generate places for new players by listing some of the existing squad," he confirmed yesterday when it was revealed that Gary Breen, Darren Potter and Stephen Elliott would be amongst the victims of the clear-out.

At 34, Breen's departure is no great surprise. The defender played 20 times for the club this season despite a prolonged spell on the sidelines due to injury, but the long-time Ireland defender has been released as McCarthy has decided to clear the way for a younger man.

"I've had 12 great years working with him," said McCarthy of the man who was his first signing after arriving at the midlands outfit two years ago, "but we both knew it would come to an end at some stage. He keeps himself really fit and has been a fine example to the younger lads. He's been a terrific pro and I'm sure he will go on and be a great asset for someone."

While Breen leaves for free, Potter and Elliott have been put up for sale along with Jay Bothroyd, Rob Edwards and Darren Ward.

Andy Keogh, Stephen Ward and Kevin Foley will stay on but former Irish under-21 international goalkeeper Graham Stack and senior international midfielder Darron Gibson have been allowed to return to Reading and Manchester United respectively now that their loan periods are at an end.

The news will come as a major blow to Potter and Elliott both of whom seemed set for big things when they arrived at Wolves. The former Liverpool midfielder made more than 50 appearances for the club over the course of the last two seasons but he found it difficult to build on the initial impact he made, his cause not being helped during this campaign by a couple of injury problems.

Elliott, too, has had his fitness setbacks but the striker really seems to be paying the price for failing to maintain the sort of strike-rate he had managed at Sunderland.

Former Wolves striker David Connolly looks set to stay at Sunderland over the summer despite Roy Keane's intention to clear out the players who don't feature in his plans for next year. Connolly has a hip operation this week and is unlikely to attract any offers until he is back to full fitness.

The surgery also means he will not be available for the Irish training camp in the Algarve.

And former Sunderland winger Thomas Butler has signed a new long-term deal with Swansea City after helping the club win promotion to the Championship.