Mick McCarthy has explained his reasons for calling a halt to Freddy Eastwood's proposed loan move to Coventry.

The striker returned from his two-goal match-winning performance for Wales in midweek to find himself lined up for a temporary switch to the relegation-threatened Sky Blues before last night's loan deadline.

But Mick today insisted it was he who finally said no - because he thought it was right for Wolves.

"There has been interest from a number of clubs and I considered Coventry because Freddy hasn't been playing here," the manager said.

"It nearly happened but I changed my mind, which is my prerogative. I'm entitled to do that. It was my decision not to let him go.

"Suddenly, it might be me scratching around for a striker if, say, we picked up a couple of injuries at Charlton tomorrow. It's all about us and what's good for the club. He or Stephen Ward or Stephen Elliott may poach the goal that gets us in the play-offs."

Wolves already have Jay Bothroyd on loan at a club at the other end of the Championship table, Stoke, and have Stephen Elliott and Stephen Ward at opposite ends of the recovery trail after injuries.

But the goal-scoring form of Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Andy Keogh has kept Freddy largely on the substitutes' bench.

Mick is at pains to stress that the former Southend player, who scored both goals in Wales' win in Luxemburg two nights ago, isn't agitating to leave Molineux but was interested in a loan move at a time when he hasn't been starting games for Wolves.

"Freddy just wants to play," he added. "There's not a problem between him and me but I just decided the best course of action was to keep him."