'The Wolves' Site News Page

Wolves manager Dave Jones played down the first half flare-up between Alex Rae and Leicester striker Paul Dickov as "something about nothing", as the teams fought out a goalless draw at the Walkers Stadium.
Dickov was left with a cut on his face after a confrontation with Rae and Jones admitted that tempers boiled over in the players' tunnel at half time.
But he was more concerned about collecting a valuable point, which moves his side out of the bottom three of the Premiership at the expense of Portsmouth - but keeps the Foxes in the relegation zone.

Jones said: "I asked the fourth official Paul Durkin about the Rae-Dickov incident and he said there had just been a bit of argy-bargy.
"I felt that the referee Jeff Winter dealt with it reasonably well and both sets of players then got on with things.
"There was a bit of shouting in the tunnel at half time but it was something about nothing at the end of the day.
"I'm just glad we got a point because it was important today not to lose.
"It wasn't the prettiest of games and one save each from both keepers presented the only real danger.
"Both sets of defenders were on top. We knew what Leicester would do and they didn't disappoint us.
"We have been working all week, putting balls into the box and defending them and my players did that today.
"We worked hard to cut off Leicester's supply into the box, which comes from all angles. If we did that we always felt it was going to be comfortable.
"Our forwards never really got going and I thought a point each was a fair result.
"We can't do anything about what other teams do that are in the shake-up. All we can worry about is our own performances. "

Both sides had chances, a Miller header producing a great save by Walker and Guppy hitting the post, but nothing to report in the first-half.
Half-Time: Leicester 0-0 Wolves.
64mins: Wolves substitution, Ganea on for Miller.
68mins: Leicester substitution, Ferdinand on for Scowcroft.
68mins: Wolves substitution, Clyde on for Irwin (injured).
82mins: Wolves substitution, Newton on for Camara.
85mins: Yellow card, Rae.
Full-Time: Leicester 0-0 Wolves.

Leicester: 0

Walker, Scimeca, Heath, Dabizas, Stewart, Scowcroft, Freund, Izzet, Guppy, Dickov, Bent.

Subs: Coyne, Ferdinand (68), Canero, Nalis, Sinclair.

Cards: Yellow: None. Red: None.

Wolves: 0

Jones, Naylor, Craddock, Butler, Irwin, Camara, Kennedy, Ince, Rae, Miller, Cort.

Subs: Oakes, Newton (82), Iversen, Ganea (64), Clyde (68).

Cards: Yellow: Rae. Red: None.

Attendance: 31,768

Leicester: Manager Micky Adams has brought in former Sunderland assistant manager Steve Cotterill to help with the club's coaching until the season's end.
Midfielder Muzzy Izzet is fit and available after overcoming a neck injury that ruled him out the Spurs match.
Adams is expected to keep faith with goalkeeper Ian Walker for the crunch clash against Wolves, despite his recent errors in the matches against Spurs and Bolton Wanderers.

Wolves: Boss Dave Jones hopes to have an almost fully fit squad to pick from with Denis Irwin and Shaun Newton both set to return.
The pair missed last week's win with hip and ankle injuries respectively and will undergo late fitness tests.
But Irwin seems set to replace youngster Mark Clyde at right-back with Jones' only definite absentee being neck injury victim Nathan Blake.

Wolves reserve match against Aston Villa has been postponed due to FA Youth Cup commitments. Aston Villa are through to the sixth round of the competition and are now due to meet West Ham on Wednesday 3rd March, the same day of the reserves scheduled game. a A date is yet to be fixed for the rearranged match.

Wolves were forced to switch training venues this morning after the pitches at the club’s Compton Park training ground were frozen.
The training session was switched to the club’s indoor training facility at Aldersley Stadium with the squad able to continue preparations for this weekend’s big match almost as normal.

Coach Stuart Gray said on WOW: "We went out this morning and checked the pitches and they were frozen solid.
"So, we’ve moved to indoors at the dome which is not ideal preparation but it will be the same story for both us and Leicester, presumably as well as many other Premiership clubs. The cold weather seems to have affected everywhere.
"It does help having this facility because previously we’d have had to go in the gym and just get a sweat on by using the bikes and running machines but now at least we can do some football work."

Shaun Newton and Denis Irwin have recovered from injury and both will be available for Wolves crucial match at Leicester on Saturday.
Newton made a successful comeback from injury as he played a full 90 minutes in the reserves match against Manchester United on Tuesday night.
He had been sidelined for a month after injuring his ankle and shin in the 1-1 draw against Liverpool on 21st January.
Wolves boss Dave Jones has admitted Wolves have badly missed Newton's skills on the right wing and the player will now be fighting for a place in the team at The Walkers Stadium this weekend.

Irwin, who missed last weekend's 2-1 league win over Fulham with a hip problem, is due to return to training later this week and should also face the Foxes.
Jones said on WOW: "Denis had a run-out to test his hip.
"He felt okay afterward and we are hoping he'll be able to return to the squad for the Leicester game.
"He's an influential figure, and we need everyone fit."

Also back in training is striker Nathan Blake after seven games out with a niggling neck injury.
But he faces a tough task to win a place back in Dave Jones starting XI with the likes of Cort, Ganea, Miller, Iversen and Henri Camara all ahead of him in the pecking order.
That could mean he will have to contend himself with reserve-team football at best, though a loan move does not look out of the question for the much-travelled hitman.

Wolves reserves lost a seven goal thriller in front of nearly 2,000 fans against Man Utd reserves at Molineux.

Wolves got off to a perfect start taking the lead after just two minutes. Sammy Clingan took a corner after United's keeper Tommy Heaton completely missed his kick while trying to clear a Lee Lawrence back pass. Keith Andrews met the corner at the far post heading the ball into the six-yard box for Joey Gudjonsson to powerfully head home.
United drew level in the ninth minute when Matty Williams squeezed the ball in at the near post after a low cross from Colin Heath.<

Two minutes after the restart United took the lead, Oakes looked to have Williams’ shot covered but the ball took a wicked deflection off Kenny Cooper and looped past the wrongfooted keeper.
Wolves leveled the score in the 56th minute thanks to a great piece of work from Clarke, he ran onto a pass from Newton and beat two men in the area before hammering an angled shot into the top corner of the net.
Six minutes later Eagles took a free-kick wide on the left, two United men went for his cross in the six-yard box and missed the ball, it then crept in at the far post past the distracted Oakes.
United scored a fourth goal in the 65th minute. Heath hit an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net from a good 30-yards out.
Gudjonsson pulled one back with six minutes left. Lawrence fouled Clarke five-yards outside the United area and Gudjonsson’s free-kick flew through the wall and past Heaton.

Wolves Reserves: Oakes, Luzhny, Talbott (Bradley 76), Lowe, Okoronkwo, Andrews, Newton, Gudjonsson, Clarke, Gobern (Watson 81), Clingan.
Unused Subs: Ikeme, Townsend, Barnes-Homer.
Man Utd Reserves: Heaton, Picken, Lawrence, Howard, Lynch, Jones, Eagles, Solskjaer, Cooper, Heath, Williams.
Unused Subs: Timm, Lee, Hogg, Collett, Eckersely.
Yellow Card: Heath.
Attendance: 1,839.

Wolves new striker Carl Cort has assured Wolves fans he intends to stay on the goal trail to help the club avoid a quick drop back to Division One.
He signed at Molineux for £2m four games ago, and scored his first goal in the 2-1 win over Fulham on Saturday.

He said: "I know what I can do and I know I can score goals.
"The thing I enjoy the most is finding the back of the net and there are certainly going to be a lot more goals coming from me."Cort had last scored in the Premiership 23 months ago but now wants to prove himself one of the best strikers in the business.
He added: "All I have been thinking about for the last two years was getting back - it has been hard to keep my spirits up.
"Now I'm going to prove to everyone I can play Premiership football - and score goals."

Wolves boss Dave Jones admitted his side almost threw away their Premiership lifeline at Molineux against Fulham.
His side were coasting through goals from Paul Ince and Carl Cort before Steed Malbranque's strike eight minutes from time set up a grandstand finish.
Jones criticised his players for not opting to sit back on their advantage and instead gift the visitors the chance of a comeback.

Jones said: "For 80 minutes we were in control and maybe we've just forgotten how to bore the pants off people.
"We were trying to chase the game to get the third goal and there was no need to do that.
"Fulham were just sending men forward to try to catch us and that made life difficult for us for the last few minutes."

Nevertheless Jones was clearly delighted with a victory which snapped a five-game winless streak and lifted his club above Leeds and Leicester in the Premiership table.

Jones added: "It is in our hands now. We're in with a shout and if you'd said to me after the first few games of the season we would be in this position I would have taken it.
"We've got a couple of big games to come against Chelsea and Liverpool but all the games are winnable.
"I need everybody to be fit and I need everybody to play flat out in every game and that is going to be very hard.
"But we are working very hard at this club to retain Premiership status."

17mins: Yellow card, Ince.
20mins: GOAL, Ince puts Wolves ahead.
Half-Time: Wolves 1-0 Fulham.
51mins: GOAL, Cort gets his first and Wolves second.
67mins: Fulham substitution, Petta on for Hayles.
74mins: Fulham substitution, Djetou on for Knight.
78mins: Wolves substitution, Ganea on for Miller.
84mins: Goal, Malbranque pulls one back for Fulham.
90mins: Wolves substitution, Cameron on for Cort.
Full-Time: Wolves 2-1 Fulham.

Wolves: 2

Jones, Naylor, Rae, Butler, Ince, Kennedy, Craddock, Miller, Camara, Clyde, Cort.

Subs: Oakes, Cameron (90), Iversen, Ganea (78), Luzhny.

Cards: Yellow: Ince. Red: None.

Fulham: 1

Van Der Sar, Volz, Legwinski, McBride, Boa Morte, Malbranque, Hayles, Knight, Davis, Bocenegra, Pearce.

Subs: Crossley, Inamoto, Djetou (74), Petta (67), Green.

Cards: Yellow: None. Red: None.

Attendance: 28,424

Wolves: welcome back Paul Ince and Henri Camara, Ince has now he has served his suspension and undergone a toe operation.
Striker Camara is back following his African Cup of Nations exploits with Senegal, with David Jones stressing he blames the African's football federation rather than the player himself for the delay in his return.
Shaun Newton is rated doubtful with an ankle injury aggravated in training this week, but Jones is confident he will be available for selection.

Fulham: Lee Clark is still sidelined, despite enjoying a week's rest in a bid to recover from an Achilles problem, and one possible forward option, exciting import Collins John, has not recovered from an ankle injury.
Junichi Inamoto picked up a shin injury playing for Japan in midweek and might not be considered, but defender Alain Goma is fit.

Club Statement on WOW: Matt Holmes vs Kevin Muscat and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC

During Wolves’ FA Cup fourth round replay with Charlton Athletic at Molineux on 3rd February 1998, Charlton’s Matt Holmes had his leg broken in a challenge with Wolves defender Kevin Muscat.
Holmes struggled to recover from the injury and he commenced legal proceedings. However, liability for the challenge has always been denied by both Kevin Muscat, now playing for Millwall, and his employers at the time, Wolves.
Both parties also denied that the challenge finished Matt Holmes’ career as solicitors argued that he had unrelated hamstring problems.
Holmes' solicitors recently served a schedule valuing the claim at around £2.5 million.
However, at the eleventh hour, late this afternoon (20th February), and before a trial due to commence this coming Monday, 23rd February, Matt Holmes accepted an offer of £250,000 which was made without any admission of liability on the part of either Wolves or Kevin Muscat.
The damages are to be paid by the club's insurers.
Notwithstanding the denial of liability, Kevin and everyone connected with Wolves wish Matt Holmes all the best for the future.

Wolves striker Steffen Iversen scored Norway’s third goal in their 4-1 victory over Northern Ireland in Belfast. He outpaced Sunderland’s George McCartney then fired home through the legs of goalkeeper Maik Taylor’s legs.

Colin Cameron and Kenny Miller returned the Millenium Stadium last night but Scotland slumped to a 4-0 defeat against host nation Wales.
Cameron was substituted after 68 minutes and although Miller played for the entire match, he had few opportunities in front of goal.
Goalkeeper Paul Jones was at the game having trained with the Welsh squad, but he took no part in it.

Also, Vio Ganea played for 70 minutes of Romania’s 3-0 victory over Georgia in Cyprus.

Wolves reserves drew 0-0 with Middlesbrough at Billingham Synthonia’s Central Avenue home.
Gudjonsson was just inches away from breaking the deadlock following a 51st minute corner from Clingan. Colin Cooper headed the flag-kick clear but the ball dropped in front of the Icelandic midfielder who hit a tremendous 20-yard volley that hit the inside of Brad Jones’ right-hand post and bounced out to a defender who cleared.
Three minutes from the end Allan Johnston almost won it for Boro with a shot that was uncomfortably close to the far post.

Middlesbrough Reserves: B. Jones, Close, Taylor, Ricardinho, Cooper, Ehiogu (Bates 61), Morrison, Greening (Smith 61), Ricketts (Graham 45), Dove, Johnston.
Unused Subs: Pennock, Liddle.
Yellow Card: Greening.
Wolves Reserves: Ikeme, Luzhny, Talbott, Clyde, Lowe, Andrews, Gobern, Gudjonsson (Walters 66), Clarke, J.L. Jones (Mulligan 82), Clingan.
Unused Subs: Hennessey, Watson, Townsend.

Wolves under 19s drew 1-1 with Crewe on Saturday despite dominating much of the game, but the under 17s won 2-1 against Middlesbrough.

Crewe took the lead after 10 minutes, and Wolves had a chance to draw level in the 27th minute with a penalty, but Mullingham's penalty was saved, the ball rebounded back to Mullingham but the keeper managed to save his second attempt.
Ten minutes from the end Matthew Barnes-Homer, on as a substitute, sent over a cross and Keith Lowe headed Wolves level.
Just before the end, Patrick Flynn was sent-off for dissent.

Gareth Musson scored twice for the under 17s, Boro pulled one back, but the Molineux youngsters held on for the win.

Shaun Newton returned to training this morning for the first time since sustaining an ankle injury last month against Liverpool. The winger limped off in the early stages of the match after a clash with Harry Kewell.
Also back in training is Paul Ince he was suspended for Wolves last two matches, and underwent surgery to an ingrowing toenail.

Wolves defender Joleon Lescott insists he is in no rush to make his comeback after being given the green light to return to training.
The young centre-back has not figured in his side's Premiership campaign after undergoing a double knee operation.
Lescott has been told he can begin light training again in eight to 10 weeks, but he told The Express & Star: "I'm going to take my time because I'm not going to play this season so there's no point rushing.
"So even if it takes another month, I'll still be ready for pre-season - I just want to make sure I'm 100%."

Wolves defender Denis Irwin say's this weekend’s break from League action comes at a welcome time after a hectic schedule since the New-Year.
The squad will be enjoying a weekend’s rest then back on Monday to begin preparation for the match with Fulham at Molineux.
He said on WOW: "We know Tuesday’s game at Leeds was a bad day at the office and we have got to think long and hard about why that was.
"But, we’ve now got a break before starting on Fulham and I think that will do us good.
"We’ve had a hard fixture list of late. We’ve played a lot of the top sides all in one group and that’s difficult for any team. Maybe that told in our second half performance at Leeds, not that I’m making excuses. But personally, the break is welcome and we can then look forward from there.
"It’s not a lost cause but we’ve got to get a move on in the coming games.
"Everybody knew we were in for a battle. At the start of the season, even though you're optimistic you won't be involved in a relegation battle, I think it was always going to be the case.
"But there's always been a good team spirit here. When you look what happened this time last season when we grouped together, hopefully we can do the same again.
"We got off to a great start to the New Year but one match has taken the shine off. We just have to regroup and go again."

Wolves boss Dave Jones has launched an official complaint to the Senegalese Football Association over Henri Camara's late return from Tunisia.
Camara should have arrived back for Wolves' game at Leeds on Tuesday, but he was forced to go to a civic reception in Dakar instead.

"We are sending a letter to their football federation because it was a very annoying situation," said Jones.
"None of the England-based players got back within the 48 hours we expected."
He added: "We are also going to speak to Henri to get the full story."

Senegal were knocked out in the quarter-finals of the competition, Camara failing to score in each of their four games.

Wolves has clarified the position regarding the immediate financial future of the club and its ongoing business relationship with Sir Jack Hayward.
At the time of Sir Jack's retirement as Chairman in December 2003, the club's budgets for the 2003/04 financial year had already been set and approved by the Board. Despite stepping down from the Chair, Sir Jack agreed to honour the financial commitment he had made to the club in the summer.
Sir Jack recently provided a large cash injection into the club and will be making further payments; this time significant seven-figure cash sums during this financial year. Without Sir Jack's financial support this season the club would not have been able to complete the signings of Carl Cort, Paul Jones and Vio Ganea in the January transfer window.
Following his retirement from the Board, Sir Jack accepted the role of Life President as he handed the club chairmanship over to his son, Rick, who is currently seeking new investors to take Wolves forward into the next financial year and beyond.
Sir Jack, who took over as Chairman in 1997, initially announced that he wanted to step down from the helm in September - four months after seeing his beloved Wolves finally promoted to the top flight after a 19-year absence.
The 80-year-old had been seeking a consortium of local investors to take over and plough around £40m into the club with the guarantee that all outstanding debts to him would be wiped out. However, when no-one came forward and Rick stepped in, Sir Jack, in an act of typical benevolence towards Wolves, nevertheless agreed to capitalise all his outstanding loans made to the club (circa £39.5 million), making good his promise to wipe out any financial indebtedness the club had to himself.

Colin Cameron and Kenny Miller are both named in Bertie Vogts’ squad for Scotland’s game with Wales next Wednesday at The Millennium Stadium, but unfortunately there was no call up for Alex Rae.
Goalkeeper Paul Jones could be in opposition, he is preparing to join up with the Welsh squad, Nathan Blake is likely to miss out even though he has been called-up. The striker is still suffering from the neck injury that has kept him out of contention at Wolves for the last seven matches.

Veo Ganea will be joining up with Romania for their friendly against Georgia in Larnaka, Cyprus.

And Steffen Iversen, has been named in Norway’s squad for a friendly in Belfast against Northern Ireland.

Wolves had two strikers return to Molineux today, Henri Camara is back from International duties with Senegal in the African Nations Cup. Camara is expected to join his teammates when they return to training on Thursday.
Dean Sturridge has returned for treatment from his loan at Sheffield United. He joined them on a three-month loan deal on New Year’s Eve, but has since suffered hamstring and knee problems.
Physio Barry Holmes said on WOW: "Dean has already had a scan and there will be further investigations when he sees a specialist who will try and ascertain the full extent of his injuries."

Wolves boss Dave Jones was "angry" with his players following the 4-1 thrashing at fellow strugglers Leeds United.
"I am not very happy," said Jones, with Wolves still looking for their first away win of the season.
"Once we got back into the game I thought we looked a better team, but in the second half we never turned up.
"When you are down at the bottom you'll get performances like this which is frustrating because we have put in a good run and have done well of late."
Jones added: "Again it's about how we now respond. We have responded well all season and I expect the players to do so again. We have to keep plugging away.
"All we can do is stay positive and keep knocking on the door because we want to prove all the experts wrong."

14mins: Goal, Smith puts Leeds ahead from a Pennant cross.
21mins: GOAL, Ganea equalises Cort passed and Ganea drilled the shot in from 25 yards.
41mins: Goal, Domi took a free-kick and Matteo scored.
45mins: Yellow card, Bakke.
Half-Time: Leeds 2-1 Wolves.
45mins: Leeds substitution, Harte on for Domi.
62mins: Goal, Milner gets Leeds third from Smith's cross.
62mins: Wolves substitution, Silas on for Miller.
63mins: Yellow card, Cameron.
72mins: Yellow card, Irwin.
77mins: Wolves substitution, Iversen on for Cort.
90mins: Goal, Viduka gets Leeds fourth.
Full-Time: Leeds 4-1 Wolves.

Leeds: 4

Robinson, Kelly, Viduka, Pennant, Caldwell, Smith, Bakke, Johnson, Matteo, Domi, Milner.

Subs: Carson, Harte (45), McPhail, Lennon, Richardson.

Cards: Yellow: Bakke. Red: None.

Wolves: 1

Jones, Irwin, Naylor, Rae, Butler, Cameron, Kennedy, Craddock, Miller, Ganea, Cort.

Subs: Oakes, Silas (62), Iversen (77), Clyde, Gudjonsson.

Cards: Yellow: Cameron, Irwin. Red: None.

Attendance: 36,867

Leeds: are hoping to name an unchanged line-up from Saturday's defeat at Villa Park, but a bruising encounter in the Midlands has left Eddie Gray sweating on a couple of his charges.
Norwegian midfielder Eirik Bakke is doubtful for the game after limping out of Saturday's clash and is rated at only 50-50 to be fit to start. If the influential midfielder does miss out, then Gray faces a major selection headache with his squad threadbare.
Jody Morris has picked up a knee injury and legendary Leeds grafter David Batty has been told he is surplus to requirements at Elland Road.

One positive for Gray is the return to fitness of Jermaine Pennant who, having limped out of the Villa Park game, was previously rated doubtful. The Arsenal man will retain his place on Leeds' right flank.
Recent loan acquisition Steve Caldwell will make his home debut after impressing on Saturday and his commanding performance will encourage Gray, in light of injuries to Michael Duberry and Lucas Radebe.

Wolves: are waiting on the fitness of wideman Shaun Newton, who is on the verge of a recall after recovering from an ankle injury sustained against Liverpool last month.
Long-term injury victim Nathan Blake continues to be absent and Wolves are further hindered by the suspension of skipper Paul Ince.
Dave Jones was hoping to call on Senegalese forward Henri Camara, but civic duties in Africa have unexpectedly delayed the player's return.

Wolves boss Dave Jones is livid after learning Henri Camara is set to miss his side's biggest game of the season.
Jones was expecting the Senegal star to line up against rock-bottom Leeds at Elland Road tomorrow after his country were dumped out of the African Nations Cup by Tunisia.
But he discovered that Senegalese officials ordered Camara to return to Dakar for a civic reception - meaning the player will arrive back in Britain just hours before kick-off.

Jones said: "Henri will be tired from a long flight and everything so it is all up in the air at the moment.
"It's very annoying for us. The player should have been back here today and preparing for the game.
"Instead we are now left waiting to see when we will eventually get our player back.
"I'm sure if we'd said he couldn't go there would have been an almighty stink kicked up.
"But as it is we're stopped from having our player back in plenty of time for an important game and there is nothing we can do."

Despite scoring only one Premiership goal Camara's pace has made him one of the stars of Wolves' season. And his return would have provided a timely boost after Wolves' long unbeaten home record in the league was shattered by Arsenal on Saturday.

Wolves boss Dave Jones admitted he was disappointed to see his side's eight-game unbeaten home run in the Premiership come to an end.
But he insisted he would take plenty of positives from a battling performance against the Gunners.
Jones said: "For all our hard work and good football today we have still come away with nothing.
"But I felt there were far more positives to come out of that game than there were negatives.
"If you're going to lose to a team like Arsenal then at least lose having a go at them. If you're going to give a side like them a scare then you must be doing something right."

Jones rued the fleeting defensive lapses which were brutally punished by the Gunners with two goals in four second-half minutes leaving the home side entrenched in the dropzone.
Jones added: "They were bad goals to give away no matter who you are playing but that much quality can pick you off.
"It was a lapse of concentration and quality from them but we gave our all and I can't ask for any more.
"We could have gone 2-1 up and had two glorious chances but that's the difference between the two teams - when they get an opportunity they put it away."

9mins: Goal, Bergkamp puts Arsenal ahead.
11mins: Yellow card, Miller.
26mins: GOAL, Ganea equalises, Cameron's corner was headed down by Craddock for Ganea to score.
27mins: Yellow card, Ganea (for over celebrating).
31mins: Yellow card, Bergkamp.
Half-Time: Wolves 1-1 Arsenal.
55mins: Arsenal substitution, Reyes on for Bergkamp.
58mins: Goal, Henry puts Arsenal back ahead.
63mins: Goal, Toure gets Arsenal's 3rd.
67mins: Yellow card, Irwin.
76mins: Wolves substitution, Iversen on for Cort.
Full-Time: Wolves 1-3 Arsenal.

Wolves: 1

Jones, Irwin, Naylor, Rae, Butler, Cameron, Kennedy, Craddock, Miller, Ganea, Cort.

Subs: Oakes, Silas, Iversen (76), Gudjonsson, Clyde.

Cards: Yellow: Miller, Ganea, Irwin. Red: None.

Arsenal: 3

Lehmann, Cole, Viera, Pires, Bergkamp, Lauren, Henry, Edu, Gilberto, Campbell, Toure.

Subs: Reyes (55), Parlour, Cygan, Clichy, Stack.

Cards: Yellow: Bergkamp. Red: None.

Attendance: *TBA

Wolves: boss Dave Jones faces an anxious wait over the availability of Alex Rae. The Scot has a calf problem and faces a late fitness test, while Portuguese star Silas is also a doubt.
Shaun Newton and Nathan Blake both definitely miss out, while recent signing Carl Cort looks set to retain his place up front alongside Kenny Miller.
Paul Ince is out through suspension.

Arsenal: Arsene Wenger looks set to bring back a number of his more established stars, but will be without Freddie Ljungberg who cracked a rib in last weekend's win over Manchester City.
Record signing Jose Antonio Reyes is a doubt for the clash as he is suffering from an infection which Wenger has now revealed hampered him during the game at 'Boro.
The Spaniard is likely to be rested, meaning that Ray Parlour is favourite to replace Ljungberg, though Robert Pires should return on the left flank.
Edu has an ankle knock meaning that Gilberto will partner Patrick Vieira in the Gunners engine room.
Injury is still keeping both Sylvain Wiltord and Jeremie Aliadiere on the sidelines, but Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry will be back to spearhead Arsenal's frontline at Molineux.

Wolves were approached by two First Division clubs for players to go out on loan.

Nottingham Forest wanted striker Nathan Blake, but he has rejected the offer, even though Wolves were willing to let him go, but Blake was only interested in a permanent move.
Forest manager Paul Hart told the club's website: "Nathan Blake will not be joining us because he's not interested in coming in on loan.
"He only wants a permanent transfer and we're not in the market for that sort of business at the moment."

Ipswich wanted to loan defender Oleg Luzhny, but he also has rejected the chance, instead he has said he wants to stay at Wolves and fight for his place.

Wolves reserves were beaten 2-0 last night at Hyde United’s Ewen Fields by Man City reserves.

City moved into the lead after 10 minutes when Jamie Tandy’s short pass found Wright-Phillips unmarked six-yards out and the youngster left Wayne Hennessey (pictured above) helpless with a fierce shot.
and after 21 minutes his well directed header flew into the corner of the net after a cross from Croft.

Wolves Reserves: Hennessey, Flynn, Talbott, Andrews, Clyde, Watson (Lowe 76), Gobern (Jones 65), Gudjonsson, Clarke (Mulligan 87), Ganea, Silas.
Unused Subs: Ikeme, O’Connor.
Yellow Card: Gudjonsson.
Man City Reserves: Schmeichel (Matthewson 90), Flood, Collins, D’Laryea, Onouha, Bischoff, Croft, Whelan, Elliott, Wright-Phillips (Ireland 76), Tandy.
Unused Subs: Warrender, Murphy, Laird.
Yellow Card: Whelan.

Wolves has admitted its embarrassment over the sale of a match shirt which fetched over six thousand pounds on an internet auction site. The club has revealed that Dave Jones had unwittingly given away the shirt worn by Kenny Miller in the home match against Manchester United, which later ended up for sale on ebay. The striker’s only involvement was to sign the shirt, as he would regularly do on a matchday.

“We are extremely upset that this shirt has ended up in the hands of a business and has been sold on for commercial gain,” said the chief executive.
“Dave Jones unwittingly gave the shirt away and then further along the line it ended up in the hands of a memorabilia company. I have spoken to Dave about this matter at great length and he has publicly stated his regret and embarrassment at what has happened. However, he gave the shirt away in all innocence and unaware that it would find its way onto an internet auction site.
“It is an unfortunate situation but, the company has now agreed to make a donation to a Wolverhampton-based charity, which I feel is the least they can do and hopefully that will bring an end to this matter.”

Jez confirmed that the donation of signed shirts is a regular occurrence, he said: “Shirts are signed and given away to sponsors, charities and good causes all the time. Players regularly swap shirts with other players, throw them into the crowd or give them to individuals. It is impossible for us to control where they may eventually end up.
“However, I do not think one unfortunate incident should stop the generous work we do for so many deserving causes or organisations. It is just the nature of how this shirt came to be available and the eventual amount the shirt was sold for that has made it an issue.”

Wolves have announced that the home game against Aston Villa which was to be played on Saturday 13th March, has been put back to Sunday 14th March with a 12.30pm kick-off. This was at the instruction of the police.

Wolves midfielder Paul Ince is recovering at home after having an ingrowing toenail removed on Monday. He is expected to be fit and available for the match against Fulham at Molineux on 21st February.
Ince had received ten bookings over the course of this season and is suspended for two matches, Saturday’s game with Arsenal and next Tuesday’s match at Leeds.

Physio Barry Homes said on WOW: “Paul has been suffering for the last couple of games but he’s played through it. With his suspension coming up we decided that this would be an ideal time for him have the minor surgery needed to solve the problem.
“It all went well and he should be fine for when we play Fulham as he’ll have the best part of three weeks to get fully fit again.”

Wolves were knocked out of this season’s FA Youth Cup by Rotherham United, who scored twice in the second half.

Rotherham took the lead in the 79th minute, Duncum raced onto Fletcher’s through ball and fell as Ikeme dived at his feet. The keeper looked to have made contact with the ball but the referee pointed to the spot. O’Connor was booked for dissent and, after Fletcher had scored from the spot kick, the Wolves midfielder was then sent-off before the game restarted for further dissent.
Wolves threw everything forward in search of an equaliser and United broke away deep into injury time and Whittingham beat Ikeme with a low shot after he had taken a pass from Newsham.

Wolves: Ikeme, Goodhead, Bradley, Lowe, Townsend, Davies, Bonnar (France 85), O’Connor, Stewart, Barnes-Homer, Jones.
Unused Subs: Hennessey, Lyons, Musson, Riley.
Yellow Card: O’Connor. Red Card: O’Connor.
Rotherham: Waite, Page, Brogan, Kay, Mudd, Ludlam, Bradford, Fletcher, Whittingham, Newsham, Duncum.
Unused Subs: King, Sprigg, Taylor, Watt.

Former Southampton manager Dave Jones and his goalkeeper namesake Paul ignored the taunts of the Portsmouth fans to leave Fratton Park with a valuable point from a 0-0 draw.
The Joneses helped Wolves stay in touch with Pompey as they kept up their bid to haul Wolves out of the bottom three of the Barclaycard Premiership.
Goalkeeper Paul was making his second 'debut' for Molineux boss Dave after a £250,000 midweek signing and his manager, who were together at Southampton, confounded their former local rivals as Wolves put in a determined display.

Boss Jones said: "Paul did very well with that crowd shouting behind him. I wasn't sure whether they were having a go at him or me.
"He was a bit nervous early on but he made a couple of good saves and we began to look more confident.
"Portsmouth have a good home record but we are playing well. We've been doing that for a long time now.
"The trouble is you don't get too much credit down at the bottom. When you lose games, people just think okay that's it, but we have been unlucky to lose to Charlton and Aston Villa lately."

Jones was not sure if his team had done enough to win at Portsmouth but gladly took a point on a day with fellow struggles Leeds and Leicester both suffered heavy defeats at home.
"I don't know if we deserved all three points today, maybe not but we fought hard for one and that was deserved," added Jones.

His 'keeper Jones said: "I was just pleased to play and get a clean sheet here. That is all you can ask."

Wolves' new £2million striker Carl Cort missed two good chances in his 67-minute debut - his first senior start since November 2002 for Newcastle against Everton in the League Cup.
But his new manager claimed: "He had a good debut. He was desperate to get going again but it is some time since he's pulled on a first-team shirt and we are all pleased with him."