Still awaiting that first signing..

Last updated : 24 June 2003 By Dave Burgess
As we near the end of June now it's still very quiet on the Molineux transfer front.

The word is that the exact budgets are now in place and Jones has his transfer armourey stocked and ready to roll.

We've already seen Leicester and Portsmouth make their respective moves in the market to bolster their squad for the forthcoming season.

Considering we are likely to need a minimum of 5 new first team players - we will need around £10-15 million to cover transfer fees, signing on fees and the 'hidden' costs involved.

Speculation amongst the fans is rife with many players mentioned, some more realistic than others.

It's going to be a tight time frame to work within with pre-season friendlies and the training session out in Spain to work in and around.

Given that we know our first opponents, we now know we've landed in the 'big time'.

We've not even heard whether our veteran pairing of Ince and Irwin will still be with us.

Main priority has to be in the defense. With Super Jo out for the start of the campaign then we need at least one more centre back and a full-back who preferably could operate as effectively on either flank.

A couple more midfielders and a centre forward must also be on the cards.

Money will hope to be raised from the shedding of some of the fringe players. Roussel needs to go the transfer fee probably outweighed by the savings made on his wages. Ingimarrson is another who is unlikely to pull on a Wolves shirt again.

Add to this Proudlock along with Edworthy, Rae, Sturridge and Cooper might or might not be kept on as fringe players.

So more money can be saved for the inevitable jump in salary cheques that are going to have to be paid to get the sort of quality we need to remain in the top flight.

Let's get that ball rolling and some excitement building..