Wolves manager Mick McCarthy has quelled rumours that he is currently looking to sign Michael Mancienne from Chelsea on a permanent basis – for the moment.

McCarthy has already brought in six new players to Molineux this summer and insists that he must look to off-load personnel before attempting to bring in any more new faces.

The versatile Mancienne, who is comfortable in defence or as a holding midfielder, has already spent two seasons on loan at Wolves. According to reports he has asked for a transfer away from Stamford Bridge and it would cost Wolves around £4million if they wished to secure his services permanently.

Despite often speaking highly of Mancienne, McCarthy expressed his view on the situation saying, “I guess people should ask their (Chelsea’s) manager Carlo Ancelotti whether we should read anything into the transfer request.

“If I was reading anything into it, I suggest he wants a transfer! But that’s the first I’ve heard about it.

“I’m not looking at signings at all at the moment.

“We need to lose some players rather than take any more in and certainly won’t do any more business unless anyone leaves.”

Mancienne, who has also been linked with Spanish clubs Malaga and Sevilla as well as Portuguese outfit Sporting Lisbon, initially joined up with Wolves during their 2008/09 campaign, helping them gain automatic promotion from the Championship.

Wolves are currently 3.25 to be relegated from the Premier League 2010/11 and are 1.33 not to be relegated.

Their opening Premier League fixture sees them play host to rivals Stoke. Wolves are on offer at 2.30, the draw is available at 3.25 whereas Stoke are 2.87 to take all three points.

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Chelsea’s chief executive Ron Gourlay is adamant star striker Didier Drogba is not for sale and has also pledged more transfer funds to boss Carlo Ancelotti.

Both bits of news will come as a welcome relief to the Stamford Bridge faithful with only Yossi Benayoun added to the squad so far and Drogba’s agent sparking rumours of a move to Manchester City.

But Gourlay has made it clear that Drogba, back at the club’s training ground today after groin surgery, is not for sale.

He said “Didier will be a Chelsea player next year. Didier is under contract.

“The thing about this time of year is we always get (this). For our players to be in the news – it’s normal.

“But Didier Drogba will be a Chelsea player next year.”

The Ivory Coast striker, who was the Premier League’s leading goalscorer last season, can be backed at 6.50 to recapture his title.

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Gourlay also said that funds would be made available if Ancelotti wanted to strengthen his title-winning squad, following the acquisition of Yossi Benayoun from Liverpool for £5million.

The Israel captain’s pre-season progress has been hampered by a slight groin problem but he is expected to be included on the club’s forthcoming tour of Germany.

The club have also lost defender Alex and goalkeeper Petr Cech through injury and chief executive, Ron Gourlay, has confirmed that funds will be made available to Ancelotti should the Chelsea boss require them.

“If Carlo wants to bring a player or two into the squad then we will look at that,” Gourlay told Sky Sports News.

“It has to be the right player to fit into the squad and obviously at the right price.

“If these things all come together then fine, we’ll strengthen the squad. But only if Carlo feels it’s necessary.”

Meanwhile, Deco’s future also continues to be the subject of continued speculation with Fluminese rumoured to be ready to land the Portugal midfielder.

But the player was today undergoing double training sessions at Cobham. It is understood he wants to return to his native Brazil to be with his ill son.

Reigning champions Chelsea, 2.50 to regain their title, kick-start the season at home to newly promoted West Brom. The Blues can be backed at 1.14 to get the perfect start, with West Brom 15.00 to cause an upset and the draw 6.50.

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Paul Scholes admits that he needs to scale down the amount of games he plays and that playing two or three times a week is now out of the question.

However, the veteran midfield maestro is more determined than ever to win back the Premier League title from Chelsea.

Scholes, now 35, has been improving his fitness on United’s pre-season tour of America, and looks set to get another run-out against the MLS All Stars tomorrow.

Match betting for the friendly has MLS All Stars at 4.75 to win in 90 minutes, while United can be backed at 1.60 and the draw is 3.75.

Along with Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville, who is currently recovering from a calf injury, Scholes concedes they are given more rest now by manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

He said: “I know that playing two or three times a week it is not going to happen any more. So you just have to be ready when needed.

“It is accepted, definitely, given there are that many games and at our age we have to be ready when the manager needs us.

“You train every day and I did not miss a day’s training last season, which was good. I managed to avoid injury. When you are at a club like this you have to be capable of doing that, especially like last season when we had that many injuries.”

United finished one point behind Premier League champions Chelsea last year and Scholes reflected on a spell in December when a number of defenders were sidelined at the same time.

He said: “We didn’t win what we wanted to but were not that far off. You do not want to use excuses but the injuries we had were shocking really.

“Hopefully most of us can stay fit this year and hopefully we can go one step further than last season.”

Manchester United are 3.50 to win the Premier League 2010/11.

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Arsenal defender Johan Djourou has sent out a warning to their Premier League rivals by insisting that the Gunners will be more aggressive next season.

The London club failed to last the distance in the title race last term as lapses in concentration at the back cost them.

Arsenal conceded 41 goals, which was nine more that champions Chelsea, and 13 more than Manchester United who had the meanest defence in the Premier League.

Djourou, however, insists that is all about to change, as the Swiss international prepares to return from a long-term knee injury.

“It is true that 41 goals is too much when you are playing for the top places,” the defender told www.arsenal.com.

“I think sometimes we are missing a bit of aggression.

“It is not that we are not good enough, because the team is good enough.

“We have top players at the back, top players all over the pitch. It is just that we have to be stronger as a unit.”

The Swiss centre-back missed almost the entire of last season with injury, but is now fit and ready to battle summer-signing Laurent Koscielny to play alongside Thomas Vermaelen at the heart of the Gunners defence.

“Now it is time to step up and start,” Djourou declared.

“I will always say that, but now I am mature enough.

“We will have to see with the injury because when you have it for so long it is difficult to come straight back into things.

“But I played 90 minutes against Strum Graz and it went well.

“I have to get other games under my belt and hopefully I will be ready.”

Johan Djourou will hope to have done enough to warrant a place in the team for Arsenal’s opening Premier League match at Anfield on the 15th August. Match betting has Liverpool at 2.37 to get the three points, while Arsenal can be backed at 2.80 and the draw is 3.20.

Arsenal are 7.50 to win the Premier League title 2010/11.

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Chelsea defender Alex will miss the start of the season after it was confirmed that the Brazilian will be ruled out for a month with a thigh injury.

The 28-year-old will now miss today’s friendly with Ajax, as will new signing Yossi Benayoun, who has a groin problem.

The match kicks-off at 5.00pm and will be available for In-play betting and to view with bet365 Live Streaming. Full Time Result betting has Ajax available at 2.90, with Chelsea fancied at 2.37 and the draw 3.20.

“There are no more coming that didn’t play against Crystal Palace, so Yossi Benayoun is out and Alex has a problem in his thigh but with the other players it is the same squad,” said coach Carlo Ancelotti.

It is the second blow for Chelsea in recent days as goalkeeper Petr Cech has also been ruled out for a month with a torn calf.

Today’s game will therefore give back-up keepers Hilario and Ross Turnbull the chance to stake a claim to begin the season in the first team.

“I think that against Ajax we will play 45 minutes each for Turnbull and Hilario, and I think Turnbull will start the game,” Ancelotti said.

Chelsea start their Premier League campaign at home to West Brom on August 14th, with Chelsea available to back at 1.14, while West Brom are 15.00 and the draw is 6.50.

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