The England Under-21 international became the second new arrival at Molineux in the space of two days when he followed club-record signing Kevin Doyle through the doors at their Compton training ground yesterday.

The south coast outfit will start next season in Coca-Cola League One on minus 10 points, while the proposed takeover by the Pinnacle group has also fallen through leaving the club facing the possibility of extinction unless a deal can be thrashed out with another interested party.

A transfer fee for Surman believed to be in the region of £1.2million will definitely help, but Wanderers boss McCarthy insists he has not taken advantage of Southampton's plight.

"I'm delighted to get Andrew, I think we've got an exceptionally talented young player," he said.

"Someone has just asked me if we're benefiting from somebody else's problems. It might be seen that way and I would hate it if that was the case."