Wolves fail with Rivaldo bid

Wolves boss Dave Jones has made an audacious bid to land Brazilian superstar Rivaldo – but admits it is doomed to failure.

Jones pursued the star this week following his release from AC Milan but knows he has bigger plans than a Premiership relegation struggle.

Jones said: “The answer was pretty much what we expected – Rivaldo feels he has bigger fish to fry. But you never get anywhere without asking.”

Instead Jones must switch his attention to the more mundane task of squeezing out more points ahead of the tough Christmas and New Year programme.

Jones is demanding a vastly improved display on his side’s return to north London to face Tottenham tomorrow just five days after Carling Cup humiliation at Highbury.

And the Wanderers boss admitted his players had been suffering on the training pitch this week after the 5-1 reversal which Jones described as dismal.

Jones said: “The lads were a bit sheepish coming off a defeat like that.

“I hope they were hurting after Tuesday – I know that I am and that people associated with the club are too.

“We’ve been a bit hot and cold – we’re either up or down and when you meet quality sides every week you need to find some consistency. We have got to hang in there.”

Only goal difference separates Jones’ men from the foot of the table but they took plenty of positives out of last Saturday’s Molineux draw with Newcastle.

Joey Gudjonsson and Henri Camara both hit the woodwork as the home side largely dominated a team tipped by most to reach the Champions League.

But all the old frailties resurfaced against Arsenal’s youngsters and Jones knows that a lengthy injury list makes January transfer action all the more important.

He said: “When the transfer window opens in January I hope we can bolster the squad – but until then we have just got to keep on going with what we’ve got.”

Scotland midfielder Colin Cameron is expected to return tomorrow after three matches out with a stomach muscle strain while Denis Irwin should also regain his place at full-back.

But Steffen Iversen has had to admit defeat in his battle to face his former club as he has failed to shake off a long-standing calf problem.

Hassan Kachloul and Isaac Okoronkwo are both fully recovered but their lack of experience after long lay-offs means Jones is unlikely to include them in his squad.

Jones added: “Having such a small squad means it’s hard work with the injuries.

“Everyone has injuries but this is the worst run of them I’ve ever had. And there are only three or four teams that can afford to lose this number of players in this division.”