SHEFFIELD Wednesday manager Brian Laws has told Coventry City to forget about signing Richard Wood.

Laws confirmed that Coventry manager Chris Coleman had inquired about Wood's availability but says the Owls are under no pressure to sell.

Wood is valued in excess of £3m by Laws, who rates his defensive partnership with teenager Mark Beevers as one of the best in the Championship.

The 23-year-old has progressed through the ranks at Hillsborough to become first-team captain and has already clocked up almost 150 appearances.

Laws said: "Just because we are not in a formidable position in terms of finances, this club is healthy in the fact that we are working within our parameters and the bank are not forcing issues to sell players.

"I bumped into Chris Coleman at a League Managers' Association meeting and he asked about Richard, but I told him to forget it. I said 'you're not getting him but thanks for the interest.' That was the last time I spoke to him.

"It would be daft for us to sell our young players," he added. "I know everybody has a price, but it would have to be a 'way out' price and Coventry, if that is one of the clubs, certainly have not got that kind of money."

Hopes that a proposed takeover deal would release money for new players this season have failed to materialise so the Owls, who visit Swansea City today, must continue to balance the books.

Laws revealed that he had been on a scouting trip to Denmark on Thursday night to check on a player who will be available on a free transfer in the New Year.

Ian Appleyard

championship

SHEFFIELD Wednesday manager Brian Laws has told Coventry City to forget about signing Richard Wood.

Laws confirmed that Coventry manager Chris Coleman had inquired about Wood's availability but says the Owls are under no pressure to sell.

Wood is valued in excess of £3m by Laws, who rates his defensive partnership with teenager Mark Beevers as one of the best in the Championship.

The 23-year-old has progressed through the ranks at Hillsborough to become first-team captain and has already clocked up almost 150 appearances.

Laws said: "Just because we are not in a formidable position in terms of finances, this club is healthy in the fact that we are working within our parameters and the bank are not forcing issues to sell players.

"I bumped into Chris Coleman at a League Managers' Association meeting and he asked about Richard, but I told him to forget it. I said 'you're not getting him but thanks for the interest.' That was the last time I spoke to him.

"It would be daft for us to sell our young players," he added. "I know everybody has a price, but it would have to be a 'way out' price and Coventry, if that is one of the clubs, certainly have not got that kind of money."

Hopes that a proposed takeover deal would release money for new players this season have failed to materialise so the Owls, who visit Swansea City today, must continue to balance the books.

Laws revealed that he had been on a scouting trip to Denmark on Thursday night to check on a player who will be available on a free transfer in the New Year.sell Wood