[Huckerbys right foot]

looks like Southend's chairman is playing games with Wolves because.....

City boss Peter Grant has categorically ruled himself out of the race for Freddy Eastwood's signature - indeed, he's denied being in it in the the first place.

The Southend United striker remains Wolves' No1 target after watching Billy Sharp disappear back to his boyhood club, Sheffield United - to the frustration of at least three other Championship managers.

There were reports today that Charlton Athletic, too, may be thinking along similar Eastwood lines after watching Robert Earnshaw disappear to Derby County and Jamie Cureton head home to Norwich.

Where Eastwood will not be joining him. For all the talk by Shrimpers' owner Ron Martin of the Essex side rejecting a £1.5 million offer for the Roots Hall favourite, Grant insists there was never an offer from Norfolk.

It could, of course, have simply been a case of Southend keeping Wolves on their toes - the latest ETA for Eastwood at Molineux is now the middle of the month. If at all, if Charlton bring some of their bigger, financial guns to bear.

"I've never, ever enquired about Freddy," said Grant. "So I don't know about that story. I've never enquired about that one."