Barnsley manager David Flitcroft has confirmed that his interest in former Tykes midfielder Brian Howard is on hold.
Howard recently approached the club with regards to a possible return following his release from Portsmouth in the middle of last month.
Flitcroft said at the time that he was keen on exploring the possibilities of a deal, but is now in no rush to bring back the club's former skipper.
"I've spoken to his people and at the minute we've cooled off," said Flitcroft. "It's possibly down to the emergence of Kelvin Etuhu and his form and I've got Rory (Delap) now who can come in there.
"So at the minute we're quite comfy in what we're doing. I definitely don't want to unsettle the group, but you're only one injury away from having to find that replacement.
"It's something I could revisit at a different point, but with the FA Cup coming up and everything it won't be in the next 10 days."
Howard, a fans favourite during his three-and-a-half years at Oakwell, joined the club from Swindon in 2005 and scored the 90th-minute winner for Barnsley at Anfield in February 2008 that knocked Liverpool out of the FA Cup.
The Republic head for Sweden on March 22 and entertain Austria at the Aviva Stadium four days later as the three sides chasing Group C leaders Germany jockey for position in the race for second place.
Sweden are the current occupants with seven points, one more than Giovanni Trapattoni's men, while the Austrians lie in fourth on four points with all three teams having played three games.
However, the Swedes went to Germany on October 16 last year, four days after Ireland were trounced 6-1 on their own pitch by Joachim Low's side, and returned with a point after a remarkable 4-4 draw.
Asked if next month's fixtures are likely to be decisive, Whelan said: "Yes, I think so.
"We know Germany are probably the favourites - well, they are the favourites - so everyone is fighting for the second spot.
"Obviously, the results that Sweden have been getting, it's going to be tough, but we can only go out and do our best.
"If we get the right result, it gives everyone a lift and something to look forward to, so that's what we are hopefully going to do."
Trapattoni and his players will head for their showdown in Stockholm in positive mood after Wednesday night's 2-0 friendly victory over Poland in Dublin.
The Italian rang the changes, partly through necessity with Richard Dunne, Seamus Coleman, Keith Andrews and Darron Gibson injured while skipper Robbie Keane and central defender Darren O'Dea were excused duty.
Millwall's David Forde started in goal with number one Keiren Westwood's lack of club football with Sunderland a growing concern for his international manager, while Ciaran Clark, Greg Cunningham, Robbie Brady, James McCarthy, James McClean and debutant Conor Sammon started.
There were impressive cameos too from Norwich's Wes Hoolahan and Derby's Jeff Hendrick, who combined for the former to cement victory with his first senior international goal after Clark had opened his account before the break.
Trapattoni for once had admitted in advance that the result was secondary on a night when he wanted to look at his options, but in the event, he got both as Ireland ended a run of two successive home defeats in spirited fashion after having to weather an early onslaught.
Whelan said: "People were saying it was only a friendly, but if we had lost, it would have been a different story and different headlines.
"We knew it was massive. We have got a great bunch of young lads coming through and it's been a big turn-around from the last couple of years because we have had some massive players who have retired from international football.
"But the new lads have stepped up and it's massive now for next month."
Defender John O'Shea, captaining the side in Keane's absence, admitted the new players, and 30-year-old Hoolahan in particular, had given the manager something to think about ahead of two vital games.
He said: "It was a great goal from Wes. There might have been a suspicion of handball - I think the Gaelic Dublin team better watch out.
"It was a great finish from him, though. The quality of Wes, that's what he is capable of.
"He came on and he has given the manager a tough decision now for March. He came on and made a massive impact, he did what he had to do.
"We probably passed it a little bit more because obviously the size of Wes, we were looking in the second half to keep the ball a bit better and bringing Wes on helped us to do that - but we can do a lot better at that as well.
"He took his goal fantastically. The manager especially thinks of people when they are scoring goals, it definitely opens his eyes, and we will wait and see. But there are bodies to come back as well."
Wilshere was outstanding in Wednesday night's friendly victory over Brazil, deservedly scooping the man-of-the-match prize as England recorded their first win over the South Americans in 23 years.
As a veteran of 90 internationals, 65 as skipper - a figure exceeded only by Bobby Moore and Billy Wright - Robson is acutely aware of the dangers lurking in heaping such high praise on Wilshere.
And speaking at a Subbuteo event at Wembley on behalf of Absolute Radio and official England supporter Mars, Robson warned are still areas of Wilshere's game that require more work.
"Jack still has a bit to prove," said Robson.
"He has good ability, works really hard for the team and has that little bit of aggression which he wants to win. That all comes out in his game.
"But I look at him and think what kind of player does Jack want to be? Is he going to be an offensive player? If he is, he needs to score more goals.
"If he is going to be defensive, he has to work that little bit harder on the defensive side of his game."
Yet Robson concedes Wilshere could have no better example to learn from than skipper Steven Gerrard, whose understated contribution last night went largely unnoticed amid the excellent performances of Wilshere and Theo Walcott and the goals of Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard.
"Steven Gerrard has offensive and defensive qualities," said Robson.
"When required, he can attack, he can score goals, alternatively he can sit in front of the back four, defend and do a great passing job.
"That is what Jack has to try and achieve.
"The positive thing is that his attitude looks good. It seems like he wants to learn and, when you have weaknesses, that is what you need to become a better player."
Robson also warned that the real challenge for Wilshere and his team-mates will come 12 months after that, when they need to make the step up from being a decent tournament team to one capable of challenging for major honours.
"For England, the difference between being at a World Cup and competing for it is how many of the young lads can actually make the step up to the highest level," Robson said.
"We have Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Ashley Cole, Jermain Defoe and Wayne Rooney, who isn't that old but has so much experience, but you can't expect those lads to do it on their own.
"(Manager) Roy Hodgson has given a chance to quite a few young lads; Wilshere, Tom Cleverley, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones. Gary Cahill has put himself in there.
"When you go further forward, can Daniel Sturridge come through, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Theo Walcott?
"These young lads have to take the next step.
"We all know they are decent players in the Premier League and it is okay breaking into the England squad. But can you be outstanding at the highest level?
"If three or four of them can become really good international players, that will help us hugely at the World Cup."
The 21-year-old forward is a free agent following his release by Sheffield United in January and has been on trial with the Sky Blues recently.
City boss Mark Robins, who has again dismissed speculation linking himself with various managerial vacancies in the Championship, said: "Danny has been with Sheffield United for a couple of years and prior to that had been acquired by Chelsea.
"This fits into our policy of trying to develop younger players who can step through to the first team. We will assess the situation at the end of the season, while giving Danny the opportunity to earn himself a longer-term contract."
The 24-year old right-back returned to Rovers from Welsh outfit The New Saints in the summer of 2011 after coming through the Prenton Park youth system.
He has made 64 appearances to date, including one in his initial spell, and follows fellow youngsters Cole Stockton and Jake Kirby in committing his future to the club.
Holmes' renewed deal runs until June 2015 and, in an official club statement, boss Ronnie Moore said: "I've been delighted with Danny's performances since I've been back at the club. He's developed into a really strong defender and I think he can still improve his game here.
"He's a local lad, he loves the club and he's the type of player you want to have in your squad."
Holmes added: "I'm really happy to have signed the new contract.
"Everybody knows how much I enjoy playing for Tranmere and I'm delighted the manager wants me to stay at the club.
"Hopefully we can push on in the final few months of the season and get into the Championship."
