Wolves today challenged Sunderland to put up or shut up over Steven Fletcher after rejecting yet another Black Cats bid.

The Wearsiders raised the bar again yesterday, understood to be in the region of £13m, as Wolves look to push the bidding towards the £15m mark.

Wolves have already rejected a series of bids culminating in a £12m cash offer for their record £7m signing. It is understood they snubbed a previous offer of £10m plus £2m in add-ons. No other bidders are involved, and although Wolves have driven the price higher than most expected to have triggered a sale, all parties still want to do a deal.

Rumours that Sunderland also want Stephen Ward are believed to be wide of the mark.

Chief executive Jez Moxey said this afternoon: "All parties need to draw a line under this matter, which has now dragged on for over a month.

"We need to focus on the season ahead and these disruptions to preparations are unhelpful.

"We want to keep our best players. If our valuations aren't met, they will remain at Wolves but we can't allow this speculation to drag on indefinitely up to the closure of the transfer window."

The news comes as boss Stale Solbakken admitted the Fletcher saga had reached a critical stage.

Advertising

The 25-year-old striker rejoined full training for the first time in over two weeks yesterday after recovering from his ankle injury.

But even if he remains fit all week, he isn't expected to make himself available for Saturday's Championship opener at Leeds.

Solbakken said: "With Fletcher, it's at a stage now that it's more or less at the end."

Asked if the striker would be involved against Leeds, Solbakken said: "I'm more doubtful about that and that's more down to his injury."

Advertising

Meanwhile, Solbakken laughed off suggestions that Jarvis, who missed Saturday's Capital One Cup clash against Aldershot with a sickness bug as his desire to leave was made public, had a medical arranged at West Ham.

"I think we'd have to accept an offer before he could have a medical," he said.

"I've not been informed if he has. I think I would have known."

Wolves rejected the Hammers' offer of £6m plus £3m in add-ons on Friday and they haven't been returned with another bid.

"Jarvis trained 100 per cent yesterday," said the boss.