Butler deal dead but Andrews gets Wolves recall - December 21, 2000
Paul Butler has decided to return to Sunderland from Wolves instead of joining the struggling Division One club after manager Colin Lee was sacked.
The one-cap Irish international was set to join Wolves for £1m this week - but the sacking of Lee has put paid to this and as long as the club are without a manager he will remain at Sunderland.
Wolves caretaker manager John Ward said: "It won't happen. I have spoken to Paul's agent and I fully understand his position. He does not want to go ahead with the move when there is a temporary manager in charge."
While Ward has lost any chance of signing Butler the caretaker manager has decided to recall midfielder Keith Andrews from Oxford United before his loan spell is up.
Andrews joined Oxford initially on a month's loan but he impressed so much that Wolves offered him an extension to his contract and also allowed him to remain at the Manor Ground for another month.
But now Ward has decided to recall the Irishman before the month is up. It all bodes well for Andrews, who could feature in the Christmas programme for Wolves.