Wolves rejected late bids for Ward and Doyle

Wolves turned down late bids for both Kevin Doyle and Stephen Ward, manager Dean Saunders confirmed yesterday, although the recently appointed manager hinted the Irishmen might have been allowed to move on if his own efforts to recruit had gone a little better.

“We had something going on with Celtic for Kevin Doyle, which we rejected,” Saunders said. “They made an offer for a loan, three or four hours before kick-off, I think, and we turned it down. We’d have needed more than three or four hours to replace him.”

Nottingham Forest bid

The former Welsh international also revealed that Nottingham Forest had bid about €360,000 for Ward but that the offer had been declined because “Stephen Ward is our only fit, senior left back.”

He went on to explain he had been frustrated in his attempts to improve his squad because of high fees and wages. “I’ve tried to get some players in but there aren’t that many to choose from better than what we’ve got who we can afford,” he said.

“We made offers for a couple, but the clubs were reluctant to let them go. Some in the Premier League are on £40,000 or £50,000 a week and we can’t pay that. We also weren’t able to match what the clubs wanted because it’s that time of year when they add 30 per cent on top.”

Asked about the bid for Doyle, Celtic boss Neil Lennon observed: “He is a player we have admired for a long time but Wolves were steadfast, like we’ve been, so we obviously respect that. They feel Kevin is a very important player there, and it just wasn’t to be.”

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez admitted to being disappointed Aiden McGeady had not joined the club from Spartak Moscow, with the midfielder reported to have rejected the proposed move.