Glenn Hoddle has cited Darren Anderton's versatility as the main reason for taking the former England international midfielder from Birmingham City to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Anderton, aged 33, has joined Wolves on a free transfer with the Molineux club taking over the remainder of his Birmingham contract, which was due to expire at the end of the current season.

Wolves manager Hoddle confirmed that Anderton, whom he had previously coached with Tottenham Hotspur and with England, will play against Chester City in the Carling Cup tonight.

"It's no secret in football that managers sometimes like to sign players they've worked with before," Hoddle said. "And I know a lot about Darren's qualities. He's a very experienced player and I think people in the crowd at Molineux will enjoy watching him pass the ball around.

"And Darren can play in several positions. For instance we can get him close in on the opposition goal or also play him in a deeper role in front of the back four from where he can spray the ball around.

"Also, Darren can play out on the wing. I'm not saying I think that's his best position but in the final 15 minutes of a game when you're looking for someone to be putting in a quality cross then there's noone better than Darren Anderton.

"He strengthens the squad no end, as well as giving us extra competition for places."

Hoddle revealed he had been tracking Anderton, whose career has been disrupted by a series of injuries, since the end of last season.

"We put down a few names on a sheet of paper before the end of last season and Darren was one of those names, so in that respect you could say it's taken a long time to get his signature," Hoddle said.

"But once we knew Darren was definitely available we went in there 100 per cent with all guns blazing and, from that point on, it actually happened quite quickly. It was actually one of the easiest transfers you're likely to get these days."

Anderton scored seven goals in 30 senior appearances for England and spent 12 years at Spurs, but after being given a chance by Steve Bruce he found his opportunities limited at Birmingham.

"It's all about playing football and I wasn't doing that often enough for my liking and I was getting frustrated," Anderton said. "So once the chance to join Wolves came up, and the opportunity to work with Glenn again, I made my decision quickly.

"I'm taking a step down from the Premiership to the Championship but I'm joining a very good team and I see no reason why we can't get back up into the Premier League.

" To be honest there wouldn't have been many other Championship teams I would have considered joining, but Glenn Hoddle being

here, the style of football Wolves play and the size of the club they are made it an easy decision for me.

"I think I played some of my best football under Glenn at Tottenham and they were good times under him as part of the England squad."

Meanwhile, Wolves goalkeeper Paul Jones has joined Millwall on a month's loan.