Halford set to sign for Wolves

The club have confirmed their interest in the 24-year-old right-back but, in keeping with their usual policy, they are refusing to confirm the transfer until it's completed.

A fee is undisclosed but it is believed it is for around £2million.

Sources on Wearside insist the deal should be completed today for him to follow Kevin Doyle and Andrew Surman into Molineux.

Halford's arrival would take Wolves' spending to over £12million this summer following the arrival of Nenad Milijas for £2.6million, Kevin Doyle for a club-record £6.5million and Surman for £1.2million, while goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann joined on a free.

Following Surman, Halford's arrival will mean Wolves have pipped Sheffield United to two signings in as many days, as the former Colchester man was set for Bramall Lane if the Blades had been promoted.

Halford, who spent last season on loan at United, will be seen as competition for first-choice right-back and Player of the Year Kevin Foley.

The Chelmsford-born player also boasts the weapon of a Rory Delap-like missile throw.

Good going forward with pace, Halford was touted as a future star when he was signed by Roy Keane for £3million two years ago, just six months after Reading paid £2.5m for him.

But he has played just three games for the Black Cats as he found himself farmed out on loan, first to Charlton, where he played 16 games in the second half of the 2007/08 season.

Last season he was a virtual ever-present for Kevin Blackwell's side, playing in 41 League games as they reached the play-off final only to be beaten by Burnley.

Despite his lack of appearances for Sunderland, Halford has still piled up a healthy 204 League appearances thanks to his loan spells.