McCarthy keen to keep O'Hara

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has revealed his desire to sign on-loan Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara on a permanent basis.

But any deal for a player valued in excess of £5m would be dependent on Wolves maintaining their Barclays Premier League status.

The 24-year-old moved to Molineux last month with a view to completing a permanent move if it suited both parties.

He has netted twice in four games and has already played an important part in the battle for survival.

McCarthy told the Wolverhampton Express and Star: “I want to sign him and I think Jamie would be happy to come.

“It will all be dependent on whether we can offer him Premier League football though.

“If we were safe there would be no doubt that a deal would be done.

“Jamie wants to come and we want to sign him.”

McCarthy is keen to complete the deal after losing out in the race to sign Steve Sidwell from Aston Villa in January.

Sidwell had agreed to move to Wolves but was prised away at the 11th hour by Fulham.

McCarthy said: “You can have a deal agreed on anything but, until it’s signed somebody can scupper it.

“Jamie is here until the end of the season, for the next nine games. But, if it all could be done tomorrow, I’d sign him if we could.”