Mowbray makes a honest admission over his 'interest' in McLaughlin

Tony Mowbray has admitted that he ‘didn’t even know the name’ Jon McLaughlin until last week – having confirmed that he wasn’t in the market for the former Sunderland stopper.

McLaughlin penned a twoyear contract with Scottish giants Rangers earlier this week having turned down the offer of a new deal at Sunderland. And while Blackburn were mentioned as long-term admirers of the 32-year-old, Mowbray has poured cold water on those suggestions – stating that he was never on Blackburn’s radar.

“I think that was very much agent driven – he’d never been on my radar to be honest," Mowbray said, speaking to the Lancashire Telegraph.

“I hear these things, people tellme,myheadofrecruitment tells me when these snippets are in the papers or on websites. I didn’t even know the name until last week when he was mentioned to me, I hadn’t sat and watched him, I hadn’t started preparing things.

“With total respect to him, Ididn’tknowhim,I’msurehe’s a very good goalie, but he was never on our radar.”

TheChampionshipsideare in the market for a new stopper this summer, with current number one Christian Walton set to return to parent club

Brighton & Hove Albion. Backup stopper Jayson Leutwiller is also expected to be released.

Sunderland, too, will now beinthemarketforanewgoalkeeper - with Phil Parkinson confirming that he would see to add another experienced ‘keeper to his ranks. A number of names, including Ben Alnwick, remain on his radar.

*Boss Nuno Espirito Santo has dismissed fears Wolves could lose their stars if they fail to reach the Champions League. Wolves head to Aston Villa today as surprise contenders for the top four in just theirsecondseasonbackinthe Premier League.

Raul Jimenez, Adama Traore and Ruben Neves have all been linked with moves but Nuno remains unconcerned about any exodus. He said: “I don’t think that’s the reason they are here. The reason is they enjoy working together so we don’t have to achieve anything to retain them. At no point am I thinking about it.

“We don’t think about that (the top four). There’s no race foranything,theraceistocompete, improve and make good games.Thisisthechallengefor every team in this moment.

“I’m very proud of the work we have been doing. We have begun to build something, we did the right things and we are still in a building process.”