WOLVES V CARDIFF CITY, MOLINEUX, 3PM
club would mean he would have to take a drop in wages.
Whittingham has failed to hold down a regular starting spot under the Yorkshireman, and Warnock said: “We had discussions and couldn’t quite reach an agreement. We’ve looked at players out of contract, those out on loan and we should know more about the figures in the next 10 days, but we’ve spoken to Peter about a compromised contract and until I know the figures I don’t know what we can offer.”
Warnock confirmed there had also been talks with Manga, a player known to be one of the club’s biggest earners – if not the biggest earner – and who was placed on the market to sell by Warnock ahead of the January transfer window as he looked to trim his outlay.
But having been impressed with his response on the pitch, Warnock admitted he was prepared to change his mind and has now confirmed the offer of a new deal on reduced terms was on the table.
Manga is likely to be in the squad for the trip to Molinuex having recovered from the knee ligament injury suffered on international duty with Gabon in January, and Warnock said: “We can’t sustain the wages Manga is on, but he’s enjoying himself. I said to him, he’s had good money from the club for a few years. He’s part of my plans at the minute.”
Yet the picture is not clear with Harris, a player who has thrived since the 67-year-old boss replaced Paul Trollope, finally making a breakthrough towards regular firstteam action, something he has not managed since his 2012 move from Wycombe.
The 23-year-old has made 30 appearances this season – his most in a single campaign – and scored four goals, with Warnock full of praise for his response.
Yet Harris’ contract status has allowed him to talk to rival clubs since the turn of the year, with Warnock warning that he may not get the same opportunities elsewhere.
“You’ve got to be a bit careful because the grass isn’t always greener. I spoke to his father who looks after him and we were a bit apart.
“He’s not really established himself but I’d like to think he’s grown in confidence. The last couple of games have probably been his best.
“Will he go elsewhere and get the same opportunity? I don’t know? If people want to play for me then great.”
It all forms part of Warnock’s preparation for next season, something that included a three-hour meeting over transfer targets on Thursday night ahead of this trip to the Black Country.
Speaking ahead of the Molineux visit – which striker Kenneth Zohore is hoping to be fit for after a recent calf strain – Warnock held further discussions with the club’s finance director Phil Jenkins, and he said: “It went on for three hours but it was very good regarding transfer targets. We’ve got to try and get the targets we think will help us as we’re a bit thin on the bench at the moment.
“You have to decide who you want. On any day, I’ll probably have between five and 10 messages about players. Every agent has got the best player you’ve ever seen.
“I’ve had the commitment verbally for what I can spend but until it’s in black and white we have to wait. The other night, Phil Jenkins hadn’t quite got the whole figures.”
“But you’ve got to look ahead, I started looking ahead a few weeks ago after my conversations with the chairman and the board.
“You have to have your own ideas and the Championship is a difficult league. You’ve got to compete for 46 games in a season. More than likely, your forwards will always have a period where they need leaving out and someone else has to come in.”
Such plans will include assessing current options as he sets new targets for his team, the win over Ipswich before the international break seeing them surpass the 50-point mark Warnock had initially set out for his side.
“I want to try one or two things in these last games and there’s a lot at stake for some of the lads,” he added. “I think I know what I’m wanting from the squad. There might be the odd one I’ve not made my mind up on.
“Some players who are under contract might leave and when you want to balance the books you’ve got to look at every option. You have to weigh it all up at this time of the year.
“The one thing you want in preseason is harmony and everyone singing from the same hymn sheet.”