Wolves pull Ramage deal

Wolves have pulled the plug on a potential deal for Newcastle defender Peter Ramage because he wants too much money.

With centre-half duo Gary Breen and Jody Craddock out of contract and due to have their futures announced today, boss Mick McCarthy had considered a move for 24-year-old Ramage.

Ramage, handed a free transfer by Toon chief Kevin Keegan, was one of several possibilities under McCarthy's microscope as he attempts to mould the winning formula for a fresh promotion assault next season.

McCarthy has also been linked with £1m-rated Hearts' captain Christophe Berra, who is also 24.

But sources say Ramage wanted more than Wolves were willing to commit to.

The Ashington-born defender, who has played 50 League games for Newcastle, wants to explore his options in the hope he can clinch a move to stay in the Premier League, possibly with one of the promoted clubs.McCarthy's plans will become clearer after today's announcement of his retained list. Loan players Darron Gibson, Kevin Kyle and Graham Stack are expected to return to parents clubs Manchester United, Coventry and Reading respectively after their loan periods expired.

Wolves are set to welcome back striker Jay Bothroyd and defender Lee Collins from Stoke and Hereford after they helped their temporary sides to promotion.

Bothroyd started once and came on three times for the Potters and hasn't figured since April 7.

But fellow loanees Charlie Mulgrew and Stephen Gleeson, who have helped Southend and Stockport to the League One and Two play-offs, will almost certainly be allowed to stay to help them go up.

Midfielder David Edwards believes only 'fine tuning' is needed to the squad to turn them into a promotion-winning force.

"We've got a relatively young team with some good experience as well so it will probably be a case of a bit of fine tuning," said the Welsh international.

"With another year's experience the lads who are hitting 23, 24 will start to come into their prime."