Financial hitch delays Emerson move to Wolves

Wolves remain confident of signing the Brazilian Emerson, despite the financial dispute which prevented his arrival in time for tonight's daunting Premiership trip to Manchester United.

Emerson and his agent are attempting to agree a financial settlement with his present club, Atletico Madrid, before they seal an £800,000 move to Molineux.

Wolves had previously announced they had signed the player subject to a medical and a work permit, but their manager, Dave Jones, admitted yesterday that this was not accurate. However, the Wolves chief executive, Jez Moxey, said: "The player wants to come to Molineux and everything has been agreed between ourselves and the player. But there are certain issues Emerson still has with Atletico which impact upon us as we try to sign him."

Jones added: "Emerson has not signed and he will not be signed in time for the Old Trafford game. There is a problem at their end which is nothing to do with us and it needs to be sorted."

Jones is also involved in talks with Joey Gudjonsson, the midfielder who was on loan at Aston Villa last term, about securing a loan for the season. Gudjonsson is set to sign for the Premiership's basement club in the next 24 hours after a deal was set up with the Spanish side, Real Betis, yesterday.

Jones has yet to decide whether to give the former Newcastle keeper Pavel Srnicek a permanent contract. He is short of a third goalkeeper after failing to win a work permit for the Cameroon international Carlos Kameni and seeing his first choice, Matt Murray, injured while on England Under-21 duty. Michael Oakes will start in goal again with Murray not recovered from his back injury

Jones also needs to check on the fitness of three other players. Shaun Newton (hamstring), Oleg Luzhny (foot) and Dean Sturridge (thigh) are all doubts while Kevin Cooper needs a scan on the ankle he injured at the weekend.

Mark Kennedy (ankle), Joleon Lescott (knee), Kenny Miller (hernia) and George Ndah (knee) remain on the long-term injury list.

Sir Alex Ferguson, meanwhile, must decide whether to introduce the £18m pair, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kleberson, for their starting debuts against Wolves. Ronaldo has impressed in two substitute appearances so far, while Kleberson spent Saturday's win over Newcastle watching from the bench.

Nicky Butt (ankle) and Quinton Fortune (thigh) are again ruled out as the defending champions attempt to extend their 100 per cent start to the season and Ruud van Nistelrooy looks to become the first player to score in 11 successive Premiership games.