Wolves' hopes of hanging on to Dean Richards have been hit by his pull-out from next week's four-match tour of Sweden.

Richards's agent Ian Elliott today revealed that Richards would remain behind from the seven-day trip to have talks with a Premiership club on Monday or Tuesday. The new development represents a sharp drop in Wolves' chances of keeping their club record signing, who they had hoped was close to deciding to stay at Molineux. The club have recently made him an improved new offer, but Elliott said today: "He has a club to speak to on Monday and Tuesday, so, no, he won't be going on Wolves' tour. "They are a Premiership club, one he hasn't spoken to before, and he will obviously have to be present at the talks." Some sources believe the new' club are Southampton, although Elliott insisted the previous irons in the fire were still warm. Richards has been training at Third Division Macclesfield this week - an arrangement that enables him to get fit while not arousing suspicion that he is with the club he is about to join.

But having missed the first week of Wolves' pre-season preparations, there is now a diminishing chance of him remaining as part of the defence who were the backbone of the side last season.

Fortunately, Keith Curle is still expected to say yes to manager Colin Lee when the two speak later today. Curle now appears to be facing a straight choice between the higher wages of Wolves and the more senior coaching role being offered to him at Albion. Both clubs want him as their skipper.

Steve Sedgley, who was forced to fly home early from last year's pre-season tour of Austria and Germany because of an ankle injury, looks like missing out altogether this time. He is being bothered by a toe problem that means he can't kick a ball. He is due to stay at Molineux and work with the recently appointed Terry Connor while the likes of Mark Jones, Ryan Green and Matt Murray are considered for places on the plane out of Stanstead on Monday lunchtime.

Mike Stowell, still the only experienced keeper at Molineux as Lee waits to see if his budget allows him to chase back-up after Andy Petterson's decision to join Portsmouth, has an ear infection that has forced him to ease back on training.