Back-to-work Wolves skipper Keith Curle today revealed he had turned down a bigger offer from Albion to remain at Molineux.

As Curle trained alone in preparation for the club's departure to Sweden on Monday, it emerged he was losing out financially by staying with his employers of the last three years. "This was the hardest decision I have ever had to make," the 35-year-old told me. "And ringing Denis Smith to tell him the news was the worst phone call I've ever had to make. "He was magnificent with me in the two or three meetings we had and Albion's offer was actually better than Wolves'. I had a meeting with the chairman and Joe Brandrick and they made me a fantastic financial offer. "But, in the end, I went with my gut feeling. That was to stay where I feel comfortable."

Curle last weekend succeeded in obtaining an extra 12 months on the offer Wolves originally made him, but not even the attraction of a Molineux deal that would take him close to his 38th birthday was enough to prompt a quick decision. He deliberated for several more days and has trained alone this week while his colleagues have worked morning and afternoon at their Compton training ground. "I'm sorry the decision didn't come as quickly as some people would have liked," he added. "But I feel like I'm starting my career again because I'm no longer seen as just a player. "I want to lay the foundations to stay in football for the next ten or 15 years and had to decide where I thought I could learn at the right speed for me." Curle will now do some coaching work in the shadow of newly-appointed reserve boss Terry Connor, who stays behind when Wolves fly to Scandinavia on Monday lunchtime.