Wolves manager Mick McCarthy has invited Bohemians youngster Stephen Ward to train with the English Championship club for a week.

The Republic of Ireland Under-21 striker, who is also a target for Stephen Kenny at Dunfermline, is familiar to McCarthy who invited the player over when he was manager of Sunderland.

McCarthy told the club's website: "Stephen had recently returned from an injury so although he did okay he didn't really do himself justice back then.

"But he has not looked out of place during training. If other clubs are interested in him then that just backs up our judgement."

Ward has said he hopes to do himself justice this time and is flattered McCarthy kept an eye on him.

Wolves, meanwhile, have denied they are in negotiations with Graeme Souness over a possible takeover.

A newspaper report on Tuesday claimed the former Rangers, Liverpool and Newcastle manager had held talks with Wolves owner Jack Hayward, who had previously announced he will relinquish control of the club if an investor will pump £20million into team bulding.

But a statement from Wanderers chief executive Jez Moxey said: "It is not true that we are in negotiations with Graeme Souness or anyone connected to him.

"Had the reporter called us to verify his story I would have told him that. However, we do not want to conduct our business through the media and, as is company policy, will only comment on important matters when we have something substantive to report."