Burnley travel to Leicester this Saturday to play their rivals for automatic promotion in the King Power Stadium. The Clarets, currently top of the table will play the Foxes in third spot and there might be another battle going on behind the scenes with both clubs linked with an interest in former Wolves striker, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake. The 27 year old is currently a free agent and is out of contract despite still being treated for an injury at Molineux through a rehabilitation programme. Ebanks-Blake broke his leg at the end of last season having notched up 15 goals. It was a blow to Wolves hopes of avoiding relegation and the former Championship club are now plying their trade in League One having also replaced their former manager, Dean Saunders. It looks doubtful Ebanks-Blake will earn a new contract at Molineux New Wolves head coach, Kenny Jackett told the Birmingham Mail last month :
‘We wouldn’t be looking at a deal for Sylvan, I just feel that I don’t particularly want to go back to the former players. It would be nice to bring new, fresh players in.’
The Birmingham Mail also believe Leicester City are strong contenders for his signature now that the striker is returning to full fitness again whilst our local press seem to be suggesting Sean Dyche has poured cold water on the speculation regarding our interest. According to the Burnley Express, when specifically asked about the Ebanks-Blake link, Dyche replied:
“Another one of many, (Jay) Bothroyd, are we in for him as well? Just another one of the many.”
The somewhat cynical reference to Bothroyd relates to the fact that the striker capped once by England, is another free agent searching for a club after his release from QPR in the summer
There is no doubt a fully fit, Ebanks-Blake would be a welcome addition to our squad with our striking department pretty low on numbers although he could struggle to dislodge the in-form Danny Ings and Sam Vokes. Ings though continues to be linked with a move away from Turf Moor in the January window with Liverpool and Celtic being the latest to reportedly have shown an interest in the England Under 21 international. Fulham, Spurs, Sunderland and Manchester United have also been linked. Both Sam Vokes and Michael Kightly have links of course to Wolves so the addition of Ebanks-Blake could be an interesting prospect. Ebanks-Blake was top-scorer in the Championship with 25 goals when Wolves won the title in 2009 and there is no doubting his goal-scoring pedigree. Being an out-of-contract free agent of course means we would not have to wait until January for the window to open should we wish to sign him and if both clubs are really interested in his signature it will be interesting to see who wins the battle to get him on their books and indeed which club he would prefer to come to.
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