Republic of Ireland striker Stephen Elliott will complete his move from Sunderland to Wolves today when he puts pen-to-paper on a three-year deal.
The Dubliner will be re-united with former Ireland manager Mick McCarthy after Sunderland boss Roy Keane agreed to sell the 23-year-old for a fee thought to be in the region of £1million.
Elliott has been plagued by back and ankle trouble of late and fell down the pecking order in the north-east. Those injuries restricted him to just 26 appearances last season from which he scored five goals as Sunderland took the Championship by storm.
But his chances of featuring next season were reduced this past week following Michael Chopra's arrival at the Stadium of Light from Cardiff City.
McCarthy, though, values Elliott highly having signed him for Sunderland during his own spell in charge of the Black Cats. Having joined from Manchester City he scored 16 goals in that first season as Sunderland secured promotion.
"He's a good footballer, he's always a threat up front and he gets goals," McCarthy said. "I want competition for places all over the park and we've really got it now up front. I've told the players the best 11 will play."
Elliott will join the Wolves squad in Dublin this morning ahead of tonight's friendly with Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds in Wicklow - a testimonial game for local striker Kieran "Tarzan" O'Brien (7.45pm)
"I wanted the deal done in time to get Stephen out to Ireland with the rest of the squad and he'll be with us this evening," McCarthy added.
"If you spend six days together training and playing you are really going to get to know each other and that will help him settle in quickly."
Irishmen Andy Keogh, Stephen Ward, Darren Potter, Gary Breen and Stephen Gleeson are among the 22-man squad travelling from Molineux for tonight's game and Sunday's test against Bohemians at Dalymount Park.
Former Bohemians star Ward appreciates the task he faces in holding down a regular starting role following Elliott's arrival and also the addition of Freddy Eastwood from Southend United.
Ward signed in January and made 21 appearances, 10 of which came from the bench. Often deployed out wide, he scored three goals but is prepared to knuckle down and secure his station for the season ahead.
"There's going to be a few of us competing for the positions up front and that means everyone has got be on their toes," the 21-year-old said.
"It shows that the squad has got stronger since I arrived and that's a good thing for all of us. I did okay last season but I know I'll have to step it up again now and really push on.
