NEIL Warnock has recalled his frustration at missing out on signing Joleon Lescott for Sheffield United from Wolves in 2006.

The Crystal Palace boss will be looking to cause a major Carling Cup upset on Thursday when his side take on mega-rich Manchester City, who are poised to finally sign Lescott from Everton for a reported £24m.

But Warnock revealed he could very easily have become a Blade instead of a Toffee three years ago if the England defender had passed a medical at Bramall Lane.

The Eagles chief said: “I hope my old chairman at Sheffield United is looking at that transfer because I tried to buy him for £3m off Wolves and they wouldn’t let me have him because of his knees.

“He couldn’t pass a medical and it was too much of a gamble, but I think he has missed about three games in three years.

“It was just before he joined Everton because they came in when there was nobody else offering.”

Both the huge fee Manchester City will pay to secure Lescott’s services and the way the transfer has been conducted have surprised many within the game.

Warnock admitted feeling some sympathy for the way Everton manager David Moyes has been forced to cash in on his prized asset, but added the £24m transfer fee was actually something of a coup for Mark Hughes.

He explained: “Realistically he is probably worth about £30m, so they’ve probably got him a little bit cheap.

“The only thing I probably don’t like about Man City has been the way David Moyes has been treated in that transfer.

“But everything else I’m envious and I love the challenge that they are going to give because I’m sure they will finish in the top four personally and I think Arsenal will be in the top four.”