McCarthy In No Hurry To Decide Harte's Future

Mick McCarthy isn't rushing into a decision over weather to offer trialist Ian Harte a contract with Wolves this season.

McCarthy has used Harte, a free agent following his release by Sunderland, during pre-season so far and he has impressed by him but isn't putting any time limits on how long he will give the 30-year-old: 'I'm not putting any time limits on it because there will be headlines saying 'time ticking for Ian Harte',' McCarthy told the Express & Star. 'I don't get wrapped up in all that. I'm far too long in the tooth to be giving it all that nonsense. Initially, he came for us to have a look at him for two weeks so we might extend it - or not.

'I haven't decided yet but he's keen to come and we'll see. Fitness-wise, he's a bit behind everyone else because of circumstances.'

Harte isn't a stranger to the Wolves manager, as he knows all about him from his time working with him with the Republic of Ireland: 'I know 'Hartey' can play - I gave him about 50 caps for the Republic of Ireland side and even against Dundee, we saw him hit a wonderful free kick that just whizzed past the post,' he added.

'But he's been training on his own. He's only into his second week of training but I've been pleased with him.

'He's shown he can do everything I know he can. No one has to tell me about his ability. He also wants to be here and he's enjoying it.'

The left-back's willingness to undergo this trial period, when many others of his age, experience and quality might not have has also impressed McCarthy, who also said: 'It's also about desire, fitness and sharpness and we have to see what he's all about. I've been impressed with the fact he's wanted to come and do that at the age of 30, having been an international.

'Some of them get a bit precious about themselves and don't want to do it, but he hasn't and he's been great.'

The main problem for Harte could be the fact that with George Elokobi and Michael Gray the recognised left-backs already at the club it might be a case of too many cooks? However, Elokobi is being tried as a centre-back in pre-season.

Do you think that Ian Harte will be offered a contract by Mick McCarthy, and is this something that you would like to see happen?

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