Brian storms to top of list for Molineux

WOLVES are eyeing Reading boss Brian Mcdermott as a leading candidate to replace Mick Mccarthy.

Wanderers’ initial plan was to appoint a manager with top-flight experience and former Sunderland boss Steve Bruce remains in the wings waiting to see if he will be granted a second interview.

But Wolves owner Steve Morgan and chief exec Jez Moxey have now turned their attention to the leading lights in the Championship and are set to seek permission to speak to Mcdermott. Brighton’s Gus Poyet is also attracting interest, although Wolves have denied reports they have made an approach.

But a compensation figure believed to be around £2million – as Poyet still has four years left of his contract – is likely to prove a stumbling block.

Sacked Huddersfield boss Lee Clark is the bookmakers’ second favourite behind Bruce but is believed not to have been approached.

Mcdermott led the Royals to the play-off final last May and has mounted another strong promotion push this season, despite the £9m sale of striker Shane Long to West Brom and defender Matt Mills to Leicester.

Experience

The former Arsenal winger has shown himself capable of working under financial constraints and he would have the support of striker Kevin Doyle and midfielder Stephen Hunt, who both worked with him at Reading, in the dressing room.

Bruce impressed in a meeting with Morgan and Moxey last Friday and the former Man United skipper has 10 years’ Premier League experience after spells at Birmingham, Wigan and Sunderland.

But there has been a negative reaction to his possible appointment from some sections of Wolves fans.

Mccarthy’s No.2 Terry Connor is currently in charge of the squad preparing for Saturday’s trip to Newcastle.