Wolverhampton Wanderers supremo Mick McCarthy insists that staying in the Premier League remains the central focus of his team’s season, amid concerns that Wolves would look to cash in on star players in this month’s transfer window.

McCarthy made his comments in the wake of Wolves’ impressive 5-0 win over Championship outfit Doncaster Rovers in this midweek’s FA Cup third round replay at Molineux. Wolves will host EPL rivals Stoke City in the fourth round.

Wanderers transfer window business got underway with a move for Barnsley’s Adam Hammill. But Hammill’s arrival sparked speculation that the club would sell star man Matt Jarvis, which Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey mover quickly to dampen.

McCarthy called the FA Cup “still the best knock-out competition.” But he echoed the thoughts of most managers in his situation when added: “Our number one priority is to stay in the Premier League.”

These thoughts were echoed in turn by Moxey, in response to concerns over Jarvis’s Molineux future. Moxey said: “We have no plans to sell any of our star players – nothing is more important than staying in the Premier League.”

23-year-old winger Hammill was signed from the Championship outfit for £500,000. And Moxey explained: “We are delighted Adam will be part of the long-term future of Wolves.

“He will provide competition for Matt (and others) as Mick has always wanted two players for every position.”

Wolves host Kenny Dalglish’s struggling Liverpool in the EPL this Saturday lunchtime. David Edwards could return after a hamstring injury.