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Archived news:

28th February 2005

Ticket News

Wolves ticket office has reported sales of over 1,600 for Wednesday's trip to Derby, by lunchtime today.
There are 800 tickets remaining (call the ticket office on 0870 442 0123) but Wolves fans can pay at the turnstiles. However, there will be an increase in price of £2 for adults and £1 concessions.

England Under 17s v Northern Ireland, UEFA U17 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP, SECOND QUALIFYING ROUND

Tickets for England Under 17s v Northern Ireland at Molineux on Monday 28th March 2005, kick-off 3.00pm, are now on sale.
Fans are urged to book their seats early to avoid disappointment, with tickets priced at £3 per adult (£5 on the day of the game) and £1 for children. Family tickets (2 adults and 2 children) are available for £5 (advanced bookings only). For more information call the ticket office on 0870 442 0123.
Wolves Mark Davies, who has captained the Under 17s recently, is likely to lead the team out.

27th February 2005

Match Reaction

Glenn Hoddle insisted he had no qualms with Wolves fans although his side were booed off after a dire goalless draw with Watford.
Wolves have drawn an amazing nine of the 12 league games played since Hoddle took charge in December.

The former England manager had claimed the supporters had not shown their usual backing in the 2-2 draw against Gillingham last weekend but said: "I can't control the fans, I can only control the players.
"It was only at the end that they got disgruntled today. I thought they were with us during the game.
"We should have been right on the front foot in the last few minutes because we've finished matches strongly and scored quite a few late goals for equalisers. I expected us to score today but we didn't."

26th February 2005

Wolves 0-0 Watford

30mins: Yellow card, Edwards.
33mins: Yellow card, Mahon.
Half Time: Wolves 0-0 Watford.
55mins: Wolves substitution, Cort on for Cooper.
77mins: Wolves substitution, Kennedy on for Andrews.
82mins: Wolves substitution, Cameron on for Seol.
87mins: Watford substitution, Dyer on for Webber.
Full Time: Wolves 0-0 Watford.

25th February 2005

Team News

Wolves: winger Mark Kennedy is pushing for a recall to the Wolves starting line-up at home to Watford.
The Irishman has been sidelined for three weeks with an Achilles tendon injury, but is back in training and could feature against the Hornets.
The outlook is bleaker for defender Mark Clyde, who is still struggling with an ankle knock and is expected to miss out again.
Strikers Vio Ganea and George Ndah continue their rehabilitation from cruciate knee ligament and thigh injuries respectively, while fellow forward Dean Sturridge has a hamstring injury.
Goalkeeper Matt Murray remains sidelined after breaking his foot for a second time, but Paul Jones is available after returning from a two-month loan spell at Vicarage Road.

Watford: goalkeeper Richard Lee is in line to return to the Watford team after more than two months on the sidelines.
The 22-year-old shot-stopper has been out of action since fracturing his cheekbone in the 1-0 defeat at Coventry on December 18.
Veteran 'keeper Paul Jones has now returned to Wolves after completing his loan spell, paving the way for Lee to make his comeback.
Top scorer Heidar Helguson (knee) missed the superb midweek win at Ipswich, but may return at Molineux.
If the Iceland international is fit, manager Ray Lewington is likely to revert to a 4-4-2 formation, with midfielder Dominic Blizzard the favourite to make way.
 

24th February 2005

Keeper Set To Return

Wolves boss Glenn Hoddle has confirmed goalkeeper Paul Jones will return to Molineux after the end of his second month on loan at Watford.
Hoddle told the Express and Star: "Watford have notified us to tell us they won't be prolonging his loan."

Wales international Jones helped Watford beat Championship leaders Ipswich at Portman Road on Tuesday, but he returns to Molineux in time for possible inclusion in the Wolves squad which faces Watford on Saturday.

Davies Goes Pro

Wolves young midfielder Mark Davies has signed a long term deal with Wolves. The England Under 17 captain, who turned 17 last Friday has committed himself to Molineux until June 2009.
Under Football Association rules, players under 18 are not allowed to sign a contract longer than three years. As contracts have to end in June of any given year, Mark has signed until 2007, but Wolves have an option to extend this by a further two years. This extends by 12 months the agreement Mark had had with the club before signing on as a youth team player.

Glenn Hoddle said on WOW:"I am delighted for the lad, says manager .
"He deserves this reward and there are a few other lads coming up behind him who are also pushing for pro contracts. Mark is a long way off being the finished article but he has real talent.
"He has got a big challenge ahead of him but these are exciting times for the youngster. He needs to keep his feet on the ground and continue to work hard. If he does that I think he can have a big future and it's great for the club that he has committed himself until 2009."

Reserves Draw

Wolves reserves drew 3-3 with Birmingham Reserves at the Bucks Head yesterday.

After just three minutes of the match Wolves took the lead, Tom Stewart's header from Chris Cornes' cross flew past visiting keeper Nico Vaesen into the corner of the net.
Birmingham got a 34th minute equaliser, Njazi Kuqui with a well struck ground shot beating Ikeme's dive.
Then with just four minutes of the first half remaining, Asa Hall forced the ball home from close range after he had met a low cross from Wright to give Birmingham the lead.

Wolves pulled level in the 59th minute. O'Connor charged into the visitors box and, after his drive bounced back off a defender, Cornes ran in to convert from six-yards out.
Then seven minutes later Wolves went back in front, Stewart laid the ball back to Flynn who steered it through a crowded box and past Vaesen.
But Birmingham leveled the scores again in the 81st minute, Birley floated over a free-kick from the left and central defender Marcos Painter planted a firm header just inside the post.

Wolves Reserves: Ikeme, Little, Taylor (Collins 86), Flynn, Lowe, Riley, Cornes, Clingan, Stewart, O'Connor (Hughes 66), Fitzpatrick.
Unused Subs: Askey, Hennessey.
Birmingham Reserves: Vaesen, Blake, Alsop, Oji, Painter, Howland, Wright (Price 81), Hall, Kuqui, Barrowman, Birley.
Unused Subs: Reynolds, Meredith, Hamilton, Howell.
Attendance: 303.

23rd February 2005

Match Reaction

Wolves boss Glenn Hoddle was delighted with substitute Carl Cort's response to being dropped as the striker came off the bench to score the equaliser in the 1-1 draw with QPR.
The former Wimbledon and Newcastle marksman was disappointed to be left out of Hoddle's starting line-up at Loftus Road - and saw his side go a goal down thanks to Kevin Gallen's 11th-minute effort.
But Cort was brought on with 11 minutes remaining to first head against the post and then level matters in the 85th minute with a powerful strike from the edge of the box.
Hoddle, who felt his men could have snatched victory in the dying stages, was delighted with the impact his substitute made.

"Carl was looking anxious and I said to him I would try and take the chains off his shoulders," said Hoddle.
"When I put him on I told him the chains were now off and I think he proved that tonight.
"It is a frustrating sequence with another draw but I was pleased with the way we passed the ball and in the end, they were holding on for dear life."

22nd February 2005

QPR 1-1 Wolves

11mins: Goal, Gallen gives QPR the lead.
19mins: Yellow card, Lescott.
Half Time: QPR 1-0 Wolves.
51mins: Yellow card, Santos.
62mins: Yellow card, Cameron.
64mins: Wolves substitution, Olofinjana on for Seol.
64mins: Wolves substitution, Cooper on for Cameron.
74mins: Yellow card, Bignot.
78mins: Wolves substitution, Cort on for Andrews.
85mins: GOAL, Cort gets the equaliser.
86mins: QPR substitution, A Miller on for Bircham.
89mins: QPR substitution, Ainsworth on for Cook.
Full Time: QPR 1-1 Wolves.

21st February 2005

Team News

QPR: Tony Thorpe is unlikely to recover from a hamstring problem in time for the home match with Wolves.
Rangers boss Ian Holloway has winger Gareth Ainsworth available despite the player missing the last two days' training with hamstring trouble.

Wolves: skipper Paul Ince is expected to return to the starting line-up after serving a one-match suspension.
But Mark Kennedy (Achilles) and Mark Clyde (knee) are almost certain to miss the game at Loftus Road.
 

20th February 2005

Match Reaction

Wolves boss Glenn Hoddle was adamant Clarke was innocent of any handball, saying: "I did see someone handle the ball but in my opinion it was the hand of a defender.
"I saw the defender come across and at first I thought he was going to bring down Leon but then I saw the defender's hand on the ball.
"So yes, there was a handball in there but it was a defender's hand in my opinion. I've asked Leon if he handled it and he told me he hadn't.
"I also thought there was a suspicion of offside about Gillingham's first goal, which was dubious, and a definite offside for their second when Flynn was miles off.
"I've had words with that linesman and told him in no uncertain terms he's cost us the game because I feel Leon Clarke's goal should have been the winner.
"But if we had got those three points it would have camouflaged a below-par performance from us.
"I thought we under-performed as a side and the only people who are exempt from that are the substitutes because I thought Kevin Cooper and Leon did well to influence the game."

19th February 2005

Wolves 2-2 Gillingham

30mins: Southall hit the woodwork from a free kick.
Half Time: Wolves 0-0 Gillingham.
54mins: Yellow card, Southall.
55mins: Goal, Hendersen gives Gillingham the lead.
60mins: GOAL, Miller heads Wolves level.
68mins: Wolves substitution, Cooper on for Olofinjana.
75mins: Wolves substitution, Clarke on for Seol.
76mins: Gillingham substitution, Pouton on for Crofts.
90mins: Goal, Flynn puts Gillingham back ahead.
90mins: Gillingham substitution, Spiller on for Jarvis.
90mins: GOAL, Clarke puts Wolves level again.
Full Time: Wolves 2-2 Gillingham.

18th February 2005

Team News

Wolves: captain Paul Ince will miss out as he serves a one-game suspension.
Manager Glenn Hoddle is also sweating on the fitness of winger Mark Kennedy (Achilles) and full-back Mark Clyde (knee).
Rob Edwards, who has fully recovered from ankle ligament surgery, is likely to deputise if Clyde does not pass a late fitness test.
Striker Dean Sturridge and central defender Joachim Bjorklund are available for selection following hamstring problems, but Vio Ganea (cruciate ligaments) and George Ndah (thigh) remain short of fitness.
A flu bug has returned to Molineux, Shaun Newton and Mark Davis have come down with the bug that has affected several of the other players, including Paul Ince.

Gillingham: will be without goalkeeper Jason Brown for the trip to Wolves.
The 22-year-old suffered a thigh strain in the warm-up prior to the goalless draw with Millwall and is likely to be out for two weeks.
Steve Banks will deputise again after replacing Brown in the goalless draw against the Lions.
Brown's injury adds to manager Stan Ternent's injury woes as Chris Hope (groin) and Mamady Sidibe (Achilles) are still three weeks from a return.
Danny Spiller is making good progress from a broken fibula after coming through half-an-hour as a substitute for the reserves, while Matthew Jarvis is in contention for a starting role after building up his match fitness for the second-string in midweek.
Mark Saunders is sidelined for the rest of the season with a broken leg.

17th February 2005

Kennedy Waiting On Scan

Wolves winger Mark Kennedy is waiting on the results of scans he hopes will determine the severity of his Achilles tendon injury.
The Republic of Ireland international reported the problem after Wolves last match with Sunderland.
Despite there being no first team match for 15-days, Kennedy remains doubtful for the clash with visiting Gillingham.

Kennedy said on WOW: "I'd already had one MRI scan and then there's been another one which I'm hoping will show everything's clear so I can start training again.
"The problem started after the Sunderland game and I've been finding it sore to run. It's fairly slow progress to get things right, but realistically, I know it's not going to be a long-term problem.
"I just want to be fit and pushing for a place as soon as possible".

16th February 2005

Reserves Win

Wolves reserves beat Nottingham Forest reserves at the City Ground 1-0 yesterday, young striker Leon Clarke scoring a superb individual goal. His 11th goal from just 12 reserve appearances this season.

In the 31st minute Wolves got the only goal of the match through Clarke who picked up a loose ball on the Wolves left and ran for 30-yards, beating three defenders on the way, before prodding the ball under Roche.

Forest Reserves: Roche, Biggins, Robertson, Perch, Hjelde, Thompson, James, Beaumont, Westcarr, Gardner, Glass (Mullarky 45).
Unused Subs: Gamble, Fernandez, Blair, Hughes.

Wolves Reserves: Ikeme, Edwards, Rafferty, Flynn, Riley, Bjorklund (Fitzpatrick 64), Cornes, Clingan, Sturridge (Musson 45), Davies, Clarke.
Unused Subs: Taylor, Little, Stewart.

Attendance: 395.

15th February 2005

LIMITED TIME FOR WOLVES FANS TO SHINE!

Time is running out for Wolves supporters who dream of securing their place on the Wolverhampton team sheet as Football Aid prepares to blow the whistle by starting to close positions in the next few days.

Whether that dream has been of being a defensive dynamo like Naylor, a midfield maestro like Cameron or silky striker like Miller, whatever your dream, the beautiful game’s preferred football charity, Football Aid advises that you place your bids NOW if your dream is to play in a game at Molineux. The well-known and fiercely competitive online auction marketplace has released positions for Wolverhampton Wanderers and Clubs all over the UK. With starting bids from as low as £225, everyone stands a fighting chance of playing where their heroes have gone before them…BUT you have to hurry, positions will start to close from Monday and when they are gone – they are gone!

Former Wolverhampton Football Aid event participant, David Marsh heard about the opportunity to play on the David Mellor show whilst driving some years ago and nearly crashed his car at the thought of playing on the turf at Molineux.

“The joy Football Aid delivers to the participants that play in your games is incredible. Everyone is a winner: the players get to fulfil their dreams and at the same time raise valuable funds for charity. The players have different abilities and at the end of the day, it just doesn't matter how good you are. Its all for a good cause.“

Sir Bobby Robson says “Whatever Football Club that our participants supports, the emotion and memories created by living your dream will live long in the mind. When the penny drops about money going to good causes, and seeing the messages of thanks and the feedback from the projects that we help fund, those memories are multiplied. It is true that wherever football is played, there are people in need. Football Aid provides one way that we can provide much needed help in these areas.”

Visit www.footballaid.com and register for more information or your chance to play on your field of dreams.

14th February 2005

Reserve Fixture Update

Wolves' Birmingham Senior Cup third round tie with Moor Green has been rearranged for Tuesday 1st March.
It was scheduled to be played a fortnight ago, but was postponed after a fire at Moor Green's stadium, The Moorlands.

The Conference North side's stadium is still out of use and they are using Solihull's Damson Park as a temporary home. That is where Moor Green will play Wolves.
A place in the last four of the competition is the prize for the winners with Redditch providing the opposition whilst Birmingham City and Rushall Olympic contest the other semi-final.

Academy Lose

Wolves under 18s lost 2-0 to Man City at Compton Park,  the sides meet again in the FA Youth Cup on Monday 21st February.
Man City's first goal came from a break and was finished with a well taken shot, but the second followed a defensive lapse.

10th February 2005

Injury Update

Defender Mark Clyde is receiving treatment on a knee problem that meant he had to return early from international duty with Northern Ireland.
Physio Barry Holmes said on WOW: "Mark had been struggling to play for Wolves with some knee pain as he has got a mild case of patella tendonitis.
"We requested that the Northern Irish FA had a look at him before playing, which they did. He has trained with them for a couple of days but he still complained of pain and so he returned to us early and obviously did not play. We are now working with him to try and get him fit to train again next week some time."

Rob Edwards started and played 49 minutes for Wales in their 2-0 victory over Hungary at the Millennium Stadium. The defender has not played in the first team for Wolves since an ankle injury in August which required surgery.

Barry added: "We are really pleased that Rob got about 50 minutes under his belt for Wales and he has come through with no problems".

Also coming back from injury was Vio Ganea, who today enjoyed his first training session with the rest of the squad since sustaining cruciate knee ligament damage in the pre-season.
Barry said: "Vio stepped up his training and he took part in some football training with the rest of the squad today.
"He took part in an eight versus eight game but didn't get involved in any contact aspects of the session. He was looked upon as a little delicate and so the rest of the lads didn't tackle him, although he has assured us that he'll be getting fully involved in a week or so!"

Mark Kennedy was missing from this morning's training session because he is receiving treatment for an achilles injury.
"Mark had a bit of achilles tendon pain after the Sunderland game. He had a scan earlier this week and that's confirmed that there is no damage so we expect him to be back in training again next week."

Matt Murray's rehabilitation has begun, he is going to the specialist again tomorrow, following his second operation to a stress fracture to his foot.
"Matt is travelling to London tomorrow to have a plaster put on his foot and also have a small electrical stimulator placed in the bone to encourage healing.
"He will come back in for a few days next week to start doing some fitness work, but it will mainly be weights and abdominal training as opposed to anything involving the lower limbs as yet."

Injury prone George Ndah is also undergoing scans tomorrow to see how his rehabilitation from a thigh muscle injury is developing.

9th February 2005

Reserves Win

Wolves reserves did the double over Leeds United when they beat them 3-1 at the Bucks Head, Sturridge scored twice and Cooper the third with a well taken free-kick.

In the 12th minute Wolves took the lead, Cornes ran past two defenders before hitting a low shot from 20-yards that Paul Harrison turned aside. But luck was against the keeper because Sturridge was in like a flash to turn the ball over the line from an acute angle from close range.
Cooper made it two in the 26th minute, he had been fouled by Michael Duberry 22-yards out. Cooper, who needed treatment whilst the Leeds man was shown the yellow card, got up and hit a low free-kick past the wall and the despairing dive of Harrison into the bottom corner of the net.

Just 40 seconds into the second half Wolves moved into a three goal lead. Clarke threaded the ball through to Sturridge who beat the offside flag and lashed the ball past Harrison.
Leeds pulled one back with ten minutes left when Duberry nodded the ball over the line from close range from Seth Johnson's corner.

Wolves Reserves: Ikeme, Little, Rafferty, Andrews, Lowe, Flynn, Cornes, Davies (Gleeson 74), Sturridge, Clarke, Cooper.
Unused Subs: Musson, Stewart, Fitzpatrick, Taylor.
Yellow Cards: Davies, Clarke.

Leeds Reserves: Harrison, Madden, Parker, Spring, Walton, Duberry, Gray, Smith, Simon Johnson, Seth Johnson, Woods.
Unused subs: Rothery, Wilberforce, Leister, Edwards, McKeown.
Yellow Card: Duberry.

Attendance: 830.

8th February 2005

Talented Youth Players

Wolves boss Glenn Hoddle believes the current crop of teenage talent emerging at Molineux could soon be putting pressure on established first-team players.
Striker Chris Cornes, 18, and England Under-17 captain Mark Davies have already been invited to train with the seniors, while fellow teenager Leon Clarke has registered 22 first-team appearances and four goals to date.

Hoddle said: "There's a lot of talent emerging there and you can see some of them have the potential to go all the way.
"There's a long way to go for them yet but it would be nice for the club if they were to achieve.
"It doesn't matter who you are, Chelsea, Real Madrid of Wolves, if you can produce your own home-grown talent then you're on to a winner, it's the formula everybody's looking for.
"Our current crop of youngsters are playing above their station but in the end it'll make them better."

7th February 2005

Hoyte Bid Failed

Wolves manager Glenn Hoddle has revealed his frustration after plans to sign 21-year-old Arsenal defender Justin Hoyte were scuppered, when Sol Campbell fell victim to an ankle injury which meant the Gunners were unwilling to release him.
But, Campbell is only expected to be out for another week to 10 days, so Hoddle's interest in Hoyte might then be revived.

Hoddle said: "We're looking to strengthen and trying to bring people in.
"But we've not had much luck, and the Hoyte front is perhaps a case of fate conspiring against us.
"It's been very frustrating.

England U17 At Molineux

Molineux is hosting England v Northern Ireland UEFA Under 17 European Championship Elite Round Qualifying match on Monday 28 March 2005, with a 3pm kick off.
Wolves player Mark Davies is likely to be included in the team. He recently captained the under 17s, who are joined by teams from Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Serbia and Montenegro for the round-robin tournament, which will take place at several venues across the Midlands over the Easter weekend.

5th February 2005

Match Reaction

Wolves manager Glenn Hoddle believes the sorry state of the Molineux pitch was partly to blame for his side settling for a 1-1 draw against visiting Sunderland.
The grass has been damaged by a fungal disease called leaf-spot and Hoddle said the unreliable surface disrupted his players' attempts to play a passing game.
But the Molineux chief also admitted too many of his charges had turned in below-par performances.

"We had enough chances to win the game," Hoddle said.
"But we didn't have our shooting boots on, we didn't hit the target often enough.
"But to be fair, the state of the pitch didn't help.
"You could see the pitch cutting up because there's not enough grass on it and whereas you'd normally expect the ball to sit up for a first-time shot, the players were having to take a controlling touch.
"Plus, we couldn't get the ball down and pass it as we wanted to.
"So we had to resign ourselves to churning out a result and the players stuck to their task well.
"That said, I thought we were carrying five or six players who would've rated five or six out of 10 instead of eight or nine.
"When that happens you usually lose but we held on for a draw."

Sunderland took the lead with 12 minutes gone as Stephen Wright advanced from defence to find Jeff Whitley.
The Black Cats midfielder did well to hold up possession before Stephen Elliott, cutting in off the right wing, took charge and dribbled across the face of the box before blazing an 18-yard drive into the far corner.
Parity was soon to be restored though as Mark Kennedy flung a hopeful cross into the Sunderland box, goalkeeper Thomas Myhre advanced but failed to claim and Seol Ki-Hyeon rose highest to divert the ball home off the back of his head.
It was the South Korea international's fifth goal of the season and his fourth in seven games.

4th February 2005

Wolves 1-1 Sunderland

There was a minutes silence before tonight's kick-off in respect for former chairman Jack Harris, whose funeral was today.

12mins: Goal, Elliott gives Sunderland the lead.
13mins: GOAL, Seol puts Wolves level.
42mins: Yellow card, Craddock.
45mins: Wolves substitution, Cameron on for Olofinjana.
71mins: Wolves substitution, Newton on for Kennedy.
75mins: Sunderland substitution, Bridges on for Elliott.
76mins: Sunderland substitution, Brown on for Stewart.
80mins: Yellow card, Breen.
86mins: Yellow card, Lescott.
90mins: Sunderland substitution, Collins on for Arca.
Full Time: Wolves 1-1 Sunderland.

3rd February 2005

Team News

Wolves: manager Glenn Hoddle welcomes back Northern Ireland defender Mark Clyde into his squad.
Clyde missed last weekend's FA Cup defeat by Arsenal through suspension but is expected to return in place of Joachim Bjorklund (hamstring).
Mark Kennedy is doubtful after complaining of tightness in the calf, but Dean Sturridge (hamstring) and Rob Edwards (ankle) could return following successful midweek outings with the reserves.
England Under-17 captain Mark Davies could also make the squad if he recovers from a slight ankle knock.

Sunderland: Central defenders Gary Breen and Steve Caldwell will return to the Sunderland starting line-up for the trip to Wolves.
Breen has missed the last four games with a knee injury, while Caldwell was an unused substitute for the FA Cup defeat at Everton after damaging a calf last month.
Neill and Danny Collins will make way as manager Mick McCarthy returns to his first-choice pairing, while midfielder Jeff Whitley is likely to return at the expense of Sean Thornton after recovering from illness.
Winger Andy Welsh is out with a hamstring strain, Matt Piper is struggling with a knock picked up in training and keeper Mart Poom is sidelined by a knee problem.

No Move For Johnson

Wolves manager Glenn Hoddle has scotched speculation he is poised to move for unsettled Nottingham Forest striker David Johnson.
Johnson has fallen out of favour with Reds boss Gary Megson and frustrations boiled over at the City Ground during Forest's 1-0 FA Cup win over Peterborough last weekend, when player and boss were embroiled in a touchline slanging match.
Johnson seemed destined for a loan switch to Hull only for the deal to fall through earlier this week, although the 28-year-old marksman has since been linked with a move to Molineux.
But, Hoddle said: "There's no interest in David Johnson from us, there's nothing in those reports.
"However, it's true we're looking to strengthen. We want to bring in people if we can but we've been having a very frustrating time with the fates conspiring against us."

Reserves Draw

The Black Country reserve derby finished in a draw as West Brom twice hit back to equalise after Martin Riley and then Leon Clarke had given Wolves the lead.

Wolves took the lead in the 23rd minute when Davies wrong footed Jason Koumas and lifted over a short cross that Riley nodded over the line from three-yards out.
But in the 36th minute West Brom drew level with something of a fluke goal. Lee Marshall lifted a pass into the Wolves box and the ball rolled harmlessly towards Carl Ikeme. Then as the keeper went to gather the ball, it appeared to skid off the surface and go through his arms and legs and into the goal.
Wolves went back in front thanks to Clarke's tenth goal from just ten reserve appearances, Cameron played an inch perfect pass to the striker who galloped almost half the length of the field leaving the West Brom defence in his wake before clipping the ball past Kuszczak.
But, just two minutes later, West Brom were back on level terms. Substitute Rob Davies floated over a corner and Smikle rose, unchallenged, to head the ball past Ikeme.

Wolves: Ikeme, Edwards, Flynn, Clingan, Lowe, Riley, Cornes (Musson 85), M. Davies, Sturridge, Cameron (Gleeson 81), Clarke.
Unused Subs: Rafferty, Hennessey, Stewart.
Yellow Card: Edwards.

West Brom: Kuszczak, Hodgkiss, Holmes, Marshall (Patterson 68), Moore, Gaardsoe, Smikle, Koumas (R. Davies 45), Elvins, Sakiri, Dyer.
Unused Subs: Jones, Forsyth.

Attendance: 588.

2nd February 2005

Murray Injury Update

Wolves goalkeeper Matt Murray is resting at home after undergoing surgery to the stress fracture to his foot.
He had an operation and a complicated blood transfusion to try and stimulate growth in the bone on Friday.

Wolves physio Barry Holmes said on WOW: "After seeing a specialist last week, Matt underwent surgery on the stress fracture to his foot last Friday.
"He had suffered another break to the bone that was previously operated on last season. The surgery involved rescrewing the bone and he also had a procedure which involved growth hormones injected into the foot to stimulate the bone during the rehabilitation period. It is cutting edge technology that's just come over from America.
"Matt is now resting at home, with his foot elevated so that there is no swelling, and once it settles down then the foot will be put in plaster."

1st February 2005

Camara Joins Saints

Striker Henri Camara has joined Southampton on a loan deal from Wolves until the end of the season.
The Senegalese international was on loan at Celtic but they have agreed to cut their losses and release the player, allowing him to join Saints.
Southampton have agreed to pay Wolves a six-figure sum to take the player until the end of the current campaign, after Wolves received a record £1.5m from Celtic for the initial loan transaction last summer.

Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey has explained the club's decision to change their policy on loaning want-away striker Camara, who went on strike at Molineux prior to the start of the current season.

Moxey said: "After lengthy discussions with Celtic over the last couple of days it was obvious they were keen to cut their losses with Camara.
"Although we had said we wouldn't allow the player to go on loan anywhere else, we decided it was in our best interests to let him move to a Premiership club where he will be in the shop window.
"This arrangement has the double benefit of bringing in some additional finance and raising the profile of the player for a possible sale in the summer."