News Index

Archived news:

30th April 2005

Reading 1-2 Wolves

8mins: Goal, Reading take the lead through Forster.
38mins: Yellow card, Olofinjana.
44mins: Yellow card, Seol.
Half Time: Reading 1-0 Wolves.
53mins: GOAL, Clarke heads Wolves level.
62mins: Reading substitution, Ingimarsson on for Brooker.
74mins: Reading substitution, Ferdinand on Little.
78mins: Yellow card, Ingimarsson.
80mins: Yellow card, Ricketts.
84mins: GOAL, Ricketts gives Wolves the lead.
90mins: Wolves substitution, Bischoff on for Clarke.
Full Time: Reading 1-2 Wolves.

29th April 2005

Team News

Reading: manager Steve Coppell is confident Nicky Shorey will be fit.
The defender sat out training on Wednesday with a knee problem but is expected to shake off the injury in time to be involved at the Madejski Stadium.
Midfielder James Harper is also in line to feature after his infected toe responded to treatment, while Ibrahima Sonko has trained without a problem all week despite his bruised foot.
Influential playmaker Steve Sidwell is two bookings away from a three-game suspension, which would rule him out of the play-offs should the Royals make it, but assistant manager Kevin Dillon insists resting him is not an option.

Wolves: manager Glenn Hoddle is sweating on the fitness of skipper Paul Ince and defender Lee Naylor ahead of the trip to Reading.
Naylor is suffering with tendinitis in his knee, while Ince has a calf strain.
Striker Carl Cort is certain to miss out due to hamstring and thigh problems.
Mark Kennedy (ankle), Vio Ganea (knee), George Ndah (thigh), Keith Andrews (hernia), Mark Clyde (knee) and Matt Murray (foot) remain sidelined.

Reserves Lose

Wolves reserves lost 2-0 to Newcastle reserves at Kingston Park on Thursday afternoon.
But there was some good news from the match as Mark Clyde play for the full 90 minutes without any problems following his absence through a knee injury.

Newcastle's first came in the tenth minute, Daryl Smylie cut into the Wolves box and slipped a short pass to Carl Finnigan who hit an angled shot that took a deflection off Joachim Bjorklund on its way past Carl Ikeme.
Their second came in the 61st minute, Craig Baxter's long throw ran through to Chris Farman and he hooked the ball home from six-yards out.

Newcastle Reserves: Smith, Atkin, Baxter, Edgar, Huntington (Cavener 81), Farman, Brittain, McClen, Finnigan, Carroll, Smylie (Terrell 70).
Unused Subs: Forster, Deverdics.
Wolves Reserves: Ikeme, Little, Rafferty, Clingan (Spalding 86), Clyde, Bjorklund, Cornes (Tulloch 67), Taylor, Musson, Fitzpatrick, Hughes.
Unused Sub: Hennessey.
Attendance: 89.

28th April 2005

Sir Jack Tribute Dinner from www.wolves.co.uk

Wolves paid tribute to its Life President, Sir Jack Hayward, last night at a dinner held in his honour.
The evening, which incorporated the end of season player awards, was held at Molineux to pay tribute to the man who has spent millions transforming Wolverhampton Wanderers over the past 15 years.
Over 300 people attended the event, which saw BBC commentator John Motson take to the stage and conduct a lighthearted interview with Sir Jack, before showing footage of the President's high's and lows at Molineux.

During a speech, Chairman Rick Hayward joked that his father has never retired. He said: "I want to say thank you to our previous Chairman and the man who I suppose I could call my co-Chairman, Sir Jack.
"I was so very proud when dad asked me to take over as Chairman and I think this event has been a great reminder of all the wonderful things he has done for the club, and the city as a whole."

Sir Jack added: "I was originally against this kind of tribute but as it was for charity then I changed my mind.
"But, I would like to add that despite the nature of the event it is not a retirement party! I am still madly in love with Wolves and to think that I am being thanked in this way is madness. I am being honoured for doing something that any Wolves fan, who has had my good fortune, would have done."

Sir Jack was presented with a 'seat for life' bearing his name by Steve Bull and Mike Stowell, as well as receiving a bronze model of Molineux.

This year's Player of the Season will be either Lee Naylor, Paul Ince or Joleon Lescott.
The top three were announced, in no particular order, at this evening's Sir Jack Hayward tribute dinner, incorporating the end of season awards.
The winner will be announced and handed his award following the final whistle at the last home game of the season, against Sheffield United on May 8th (1pm kick-off).

The full list of winners from tonight's event are as follows:
Young Player of the Season, sponsored by SB Waste - Leon Clarke.
Top Goalscorer of the Season, sponsored by HCH Services - with only three goals between Carl Cort and Kenny Miller, the winner is yet to be confirmed.
Player's Player of the Year, sponsored by Tarmac - Joleon Lescott.
Goal of the Season, sponsored by Carling - Kenny Miller vs Preston in the 2-2 draw on Wednesday August 11th.
Fans' Player of the Season, sponsored by Chaucer Group - To be announced from the top three of Paul Ince, Joleon Lescott and Lee Naylor.
Special Achievement Award, sponsored by C&C Ceramics - Mark Davies.

27th April 2005

Ricketts Would Consider Staying

On-loan midfielder Rohan Ricketts has admitted that he would consider a permanent move to Molineux, if Glenn Hoddle signs a new contract.
The 22-year-old was signed by Hoddle at Tottenham from Arsenal in 2002 and Ricketts admits that the future of the former Spurs boss will play a big part in his own decision.

"I have thought about next season but in football you can never be 100 percent sure what will happen," Ricketts told the Express & Star.
"We don't know if the manager will be here or not, but if he is it would certainly be a big boost for me.
"And if he wants me I don't think I would have to think twice about coming here.
"I like the formation, I love the freedom which allows me to roam around and there's also a good bunch of lads here who I get on well with.
"I have only been here a short time but it's great to be working with him again.
"I know he can improve my game and make me a more assured and a more productive player." 

Kennedy Update

The exploratory operation on winger Mark Kennedy's troublesome left ankle has revealed no serious damage.
He will miss the final two games of this season, but he is expected to make a rapid recovery from the surgery.

Physio Steve Kemp who travelled with Sparky to the Manchester hospital where the operation took place, said on WOW: "The fear was that the problem could have been a serious one but thankfully that didn't prove to be the case.
"When the surgeon had a look inside the ankle, he found no serious abnormalities and he just performed a 'tidying up' procedure on the joint surfaces.
"Mark should be able to walk out of the hospital when he leaves this evening and he will be able to start rehab in two or three days."

26th April 2005

Reserves Draw

Wolves reserves drew 0-0 with Bolton reserves this evening, but there was good news from the match as George Ndah made a successful comeback and Vio Ganea continued with his.
Ndah looked sharp as he played for the opening 45 minutes and his pace caused several problems for the visiting defence. Ganea added to the 45 minutes he had played at Old Trafford last week with 63 minutes of trouble free soccer.

Wolves Reserves: Jones, Little, Rafferty, Clingan, Lowe, Bjorklund, Cornes, Mulligan, Ganea (Musson 64), Cooper (Fitzpatrick 75), Ndah (Gleeson 45).
Unused Subs: Ikeme, Taylor.
Bolton Reserves: Ashton, Powell, Whitehead (Stott 45), Cassidy, Laville, Comyn-Platt, Luisi, Sissons, Sinclair, Kaku, Kribib.
Unused Subs: Maghill, Howarth, Knowles.
Attendance: 425.

25th April 2005

Hoddle Wants To Stay

Wolves boss Glenn Hoddle is hopeful of securing an extension to his Molineux contract beyond this season.
Hoddle is set to commit his future to the club, although he stressed that no announcement would be made until the season's end.

Hoddle said: "There are issues that the club and I still need to talk about.
"There are a lot of things that we have already spoken about and we are midway through it all.
"Hopefully at the end of the season some sort of decision will be made."

24th April 2005

Match Reaction

Glenn Hoddle admitted he had to read the riot act to his Wolves players after an inept first-half display against relegated Rotherham at Molineux.
Hoddle's side were simply awful as they struggled for ideas before two second-half Kenny Miller goals presented them with their first league double in two years and catapulted the club three places up the table to 10th spot.

"I'm delighted with the way the players responded to my little chat at half-time," said the former England coach.
"These are three very good points for us and I'm pleased that we managed to turn things round.
"We have played 100 times better than we did in the first half but still drawn.
"So it's very pleasing to see us show so much character after the break to get the points."

Rotherham, who have now lost four successive games, squandered two fine chances to take the lead before Miller pounced for his 18th and 19th goals of the season.
Winger Jamal Campbell-Ryce forced a fine save from Michael Oakes following a powerful 25th-minute solo run while skipper Chris Swailes' goal-bound header failed to cross the line after hitting team-mate Tony Thorpe.
Those misses proved costly as Miller pounced from close range after the visitors' defence failed to deal with a 54th-minute corner.
The former Rangers striker sealed victory with a clinical strike in the dying seconds to stretch Wolves' unbeaten league run to 16 games.

23rd April 2005

Wolves 2-0 Rotherham

38mins: Wolves substitution, Ricketts on for Seol (injured).
Half Time: Wolves 0-0 Rotherham.
55mins: GOAL, Miller scores from close range to give Wolves the lead.
70mins: Wolves substitution, Cooper on for Naylor (injured).
70mins: Rotherham substitution, Hoskins on for Keane.
79mins: Wolves substitution, Edwards on for Bischoff.
85mins: Rotherham substitution, Newsham on for Hurst.
90mins: GOAL, Miller gets his and Wolves second.
Full Time: Wolves 2-0 Rotherham.

22nd April 2005

Team News

Wolves: striker Carl Cort could be in line for a recall if he passes a fitness test on hamstring and thigh niggles. Mark Kennedy is also expected to make the squad despite an Achilles tendon problem, but defender Rob Edwards (back) could struggle.

Rotherham: Jamal Campbell-Ryce returns to the squad after a two-match suspension. Boss Mick Harford has offered a new contract to goalkeeper Gary Montgomery but is likely to keep faith with regular number one Mike Pollitt.

21st April 2005

Police Investigate Allegations

Police are to investigate allegations that Wolves striker Kenny Miller made obscene gestures and used abusive language towards Coventry fans.
The incidents are alleged to have occurred during the clubs' 2-2 draw at Highfield Road last week.
A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: "The situation is that we're aware of an allegation relating to a public order matter.
"We will be looking into the circumstances surrounding that allegation. But as yet no formal complaint has been made."

20th April 2005

Camara Up For Sale

Chief executive Jez Moxey has revealed Wolves intention to sell striker Henri Camara.
They are determined to part with the Senegal international after he refused to play for them this season following their relegation from The Premiership.
The African goalscorer spent the first half of the season on loan at Celtic before Harry Redknapp snapped him up on a similar loan deal at Southampton back in January.

Wolves have received £1.7 million for both of Camara's loan deals this summer, but after receiving interest from three different Premiership clubs, Moxey insists the club will want the best deal possible for the 27-year-old.

Moxey said on WOW: "We are in selling mode when it comes to Camara, who has two years of his contract remaining.
"In an ideal world, he would be sold to the highest bidder following a competitive auction on or before June 30, this year.
"I have recently received calls from three Premier League club chairmen and have promised to keep them informed of any developments.
"Although Camara is for sale, we will not be pushed into a corner when it comes to our valuation of him - either because we have already received loan fees or because of the controversy he caused last summer when he refused to play for us in The Championship.
"He remains our player."

One player that looks keen to prove his worth at Molineux is Portuguese midfielder Jorge Manuel Silas.
The 28-year-old is on a season-long loan at Portuguese club Maritimo, but Silas seems prepared to return to Wolves and win a place in the squad for next season.
"His agent tells me that the player is happy to return to Wolves when the squad reports back for pre-season training and wants to repay the club by proving to everyone that he is worth the large investment we made acquiring him from Leiria two years ago," Moxey added.

Pre-Season Update

Wolves have announced three more pre-season friendlies.
On the 23rd and 24th July, they will be in Scotland taking part in the City of Discovery Cup in Dundee, which is a four team tournament also involving Dundee, Dundee United and Sheffield Wednesday.
On the Saturday Wolves will be playing Sheff Wed at United's Tannadice Park with a 1pm kick-off. The two Dundee teams will then play at 4pm at the same stadium.
The following day the two losing teams will play for third and fourth place at 1pm with the two winners competing for the Cup at 4pm. Both of these games will take place at Dundee's Dens Park.

On Wednesday 27th July, Wolves will be traveling to Holland to play ADO Den Haag in The Hague. This game is scheduled to kick-off at 7.30pm.
Wolves were due to meet the top flight Dutch club in a pre-season friendly at Telford two years ago but the game was postponed after a flash flood caused electrical damage at the Bucks Head.

19th April 2005

Reserves Lose

Two goals from David Bellion and one from David Jones saw Manchester United's reserves win the reserve league title in front of a near deserted Old Trafford.
One consolation for Wolves was that Vio Ganea came through 45 trouble free minutes in his comeback game.

Man Utd Reserves: Heaton, Picken, Lawrence, Evans (Bardsley 45), McShane, Miller (Fox 60), Bellion, D. Jones, Heath, Rossi, Martin (Marsh 67).
Unused Subs: Lee, R. Jones.
Yellow Card: Bardsley.
Wolves Reserves: Ikeme, Little, Rafferty (Taylor 88), Clingan, Lowe, Bjorklund, Ricketts, O'Connor, Ganea (Fitzpatrick 45), Mulligan, Cooper.
Unused Subs: Hennessey, Tulloch.
Yellow Card: Clingan.

Attendance: 379. 

18th April 2005

Hoddle In Talks Over Future

The future of Wolves manager Glenn Hoddle will be discussed this week.
His six-month contract at Molineux is due to expire on May 31st, and he will be asked to a meeting with Chief Executive Jez Moxey to discuss his and the club's way forward. This could lead to negotiations about a longer term contract at Molineux.

Jez said on WOW: "When Glenn first joined us we both agreed that we would talk about the future towards the season's end. We agreed that nothing would be done until then and have responded to questions from the media with the same consistent message.
"However, unfortunately the play-offs are now mathematically beyond us and so although we are in day-to-day contact and have agreed on certain things for the future, such as our pre-season programme, we think the time is about right to start engaging him in the specific conversations about where both he and the club go from here.
"We are fully aware that the players and the supporters want this situation resolved as quickly as possible and that it what we plan to do.
"Since Glenn arrived in December we have been happy with the work he has done but obviously disappointed at not reaching a top six place.The club needs to improve and therefore we must try to finalise all our plans for next season and the position of the manager is obviously central to this."

17th April 2005

Match Reaction

Manager Glenn Hoddle saw victory snatched from Wolves' grasp at Coventry and then blamed elementary errors for their 2-2 draw.
Wolves had taken an early lead at Highfield Road after unmarked Leon Clarke headed home at the back post.
But the Sky Blues were back on terms before half-time thanks to Gary McSheffrey's penalty conversion.
A Lee Naylor shot looked to have secured all three points for the Molineux club though after a deflection off defender Steve Staunton diverted the ball into the back of Coventry keeper Luke Steele's net.
But City striker Stern John capitalised when possession was gifted by Ki-Hyeon Seol late in the game with the Trinidad & Tobago international netting an equaliser with just 20 seconds of normal time remaining.

Hoddle fumed: "It was a stupid mistake by Seol which cost us.
"I praise him highly when he does well, but he's got to learn he can't play flicky-flicky football at that time in the game and in that position on the park.
"We've given the ball away in a dangerous position and conceded a goal which should never have happened.
"And I could smell a penalty coming for their first goal too, when I saw Lilian Nalis just wasn't tight enough to McSheffrey.
"We showed 'Nails' on the video tapes how McSheffrey likes to get into the box but it still happened and I have no complaints about the penalty.
"I wasn't happy with our defending all day. We didn't turn up with our two heads - we only wanted to play when we had the ball and so there were some harsh words said at half-time.
"But we still didn't defend anywhere near as well as we should have done. It should have been three points to us and looking around the country those extra two points would have lifted us a good few places in the table.
"But we've played like this all season when we've been away. We've dominated possession, got the ball down and passed it well but still not got the points we've deserved."

The Highfield Road stalemate was the 15th Championship draw of Hoddle's time at the club, although Wolves have had only one league defeat since the former England coach arrived in December.

16th April 2005

Coventry 2-2 Wolves

15mins: GOAL, Clarke heads Wolves into the lead.
18mins: Naylor fouled McSheffrey, penalty given.
19mins: Goal, McSheffrey equalises from the spot.
Half Time: Coventry 1-1 Wolves.
61mins: Yellow card, Jorgensen.
66mins: Coventry substitution, John on for Goater.
74mins: Coventry substitution, Morrell on for Dyer.
79mins: GOAL, Naylor puts Wolves back ahead with his first goal of the season.
82mins: Coventry substitution, Benjamin on for Jorgensen.
83mins: Wolves substitution, Kennedy on for Cameron.
89mins: Wolves substitution, Ricketts on for Clarke.
90mins: Goal, John puts Coventry level again.
Full Time: Coventry 2-2 Wolves.

15th April 2005

Team News

Coventry: manager Micky Adams has his fingers crossed influential midfielder Stephen Hughes can regain his fitness ahead of the home game against Wolves.
Hughes has been nursing a knee injury but could be included if he passes a late fitness test.
Isaac Osbourne, who sustained an ankle injury at West Ham last time out, and central defender Ady Williams (calf) will also be given until the last minute.
Left-back Stuart Giddings (ankle) and midfielder Tim Sherwood (leg) will definitely play no part against Glenn Hoddle's men.

Wolves: manager Glenn Hoddle is sweating on the fitness of playmaker Ki-Hyeon Seol.
Seol has been rated as 50-50 after suffering a dead-leg.
Forward Carl Cort (thigh) has definitely been ruled out, but Mark Kennedy is set to continue on the left flank - despite struggling with Achilles tendon problems.
Strikers Vio Ganea (knee) and George Ndah (thigh) have returned to training but the Coventry game will come too soon for them.
Keith Andrews (hernia), Mark Clyde (knee) and Matt Murray (foot) remain on the casualty list. 

14th April 2005

Former Player Dies

From www.wolves.co.uk

Wolves has been saddened by the death of former goalkeeper Cyril Sidlow.
The 89-year-old died on Tuesday following complications after a fall.
Mr Sidlow is remembered as one of the greatest goalkeepers to grace the field at Molineux, despite playing only four First Division League games in a career that was disrupted by the Second World War.
He featured in the record 10-1 victory over Leicester City and in 1945 he was one of two Wolves goalkeepers to play in the same international match at The Hawthorns. While he featured for Wales, Bert Williams kept goal for England.
Following the end of his playing career Mr Sidlow returned to Wolverhampton, living in Codsall and working in the building trade.
The club sends its condolences to Mr Sidlow's two children.

Penalty Shout-Out Defeat

Wolves 3-2 Southampton
Aggregate score 3-3 - Southampton win penalty shoot-out 5-4.

A thrilling FA Youth Cup semi-final second-leg against Southampton ended agonisingly for Wolves when they lost a penalty shoot-out by 5-4.

Southampton's pressure paid off in the tenth minute following a slip by Martin Riley who was caught in possession by McGoldrick. The Southampton striker ran on for 20-yards before slotting the ball through Hennessey's legs.
In the 63rd minute Craig Richards headed home after he met James's free-kick but his effort was ruled out for offside.
Then just a minute later Wolves were level on the night. Stewart did superbly well in taking possession and running across the face of the Southampton box before hammering a left-foot shot into the bottom corner.
It looked as if Davies had been fouled as he raced towards the Southampton area but although the referee waved play-on Fitzpatrick spotted an opportunity and he sidefooted a beauty from 25-yards just under the angle of post and bar in the 82nd minute to level the scores on aggregate and take the game into extra time.
End of 90-minutes: Wolves 2-1 Southampton.

In the 109th minute Wolves were reduced to ten men after Gleeson was dismissed for a second bookable offence - a late challenge on Sparv.
The youngsters took the setback in their stride and moved ahead on aggregate three minutes later through skipper Davies. Fitzpatrick's corner was nodded on by Riley and Davies was waiting on the far side of the six-yard box to lash home a terrific shot.
But the Saints got the goal that levelled the tie three minutes from the end when, in a goalmouth scramble, Jonathan Taylor tried to chest the ball back to Hennessey only for Best to nip in and prod it over the line.

Davies started the shoot-out for Wolves and converted, as did Best. But then Fitzpatrick's kick was beaten down by McNeil and although Musson, Taylor and Bennett all scored from the next three kicks for Wolves, Lallana, James, Sparv and McGoldrick all netted for the Saints who won the shoot-out 5-4 to progress to next week's final against Ipswich Town.

Wolves: Hennessey, Little, Rafferty, Taylor, Riley, Davies (capt), Musson, Gleeson, Stewart (Fitzpatrick 78), Cornes (Bennett 45), Collins.
Unused Subs: Shepherd, Ferran, Hughes.
Yellow cards: Collins, Gleeson.
Red Card: Gleeson 109, second bookable offence.

Southampton: McNeil, Richards, Critchell (Wallis-Tayler 115), Rudd (Condesso 115), Cranie (capt), James, Walcott (Lallana 83), Sparv, Best, McGoldrick, Dyer.
Unused Subs: Jones, Dutton-Black.
Yellow Cards: Crainie, Rudd, Critchell.
Attendance: 8,803.

13th April 2005

Ricketts Loan Extended

Spurs midfielder Rohan Ricketts has had his loan with Wolves extended.
He arrived at Molineux last month and his loan was due to expire following Wolves game with Ipswich, but he will now remain with the club until the end of the season.

Friendlies Announced

Wolves has announced a provisional list of domestic pre-season friendly matches, to warm up for The Championship season which begins on Saturday 6th August.
The dates and kick-off times of all the pre-season 2005 games have yet to be confirmed.

Monday 11th July v Hednesford away. Kick-off 7.30pm.
Tuesday 12th July v Telford away. Kick-off 7.30pm.
Friday 15th July v Wycombe away. Kick-off 7.45pm.
Saturday 16th July v Kidderminster away. Kick-off 3pm.
Wednesday 20th July v Port Vale away. Kick-off 7.30pm.
Saturday 30th July v Aston Villa home. Kick-off 3pm.
Monday 1st August v Nuneaton away. Kick-off 7.30pm.

ALL THE ABOVE ARE SUBJECT TO CONFIRMATION

12th April 2005

Match Reaction

Wolves, having drawn their previous three fixtures to set a new club record of 20 league draws in a season, treated the live cameras to their best 45 minutes of the season.
They were ahead in only the fourth minute when Lee Naylor's fine run and cross was only half cleared by David Unsworth. The recalled Colin Cameron chested the loose ball past keeper Kelvin Davis and hammered home off the bar.
Ipswich's defence, having conceded three to relegated Rotherham last week, were carved open again and again with Cameron, Kenny Miller, Ki-Hyeon Seol and Seyi George Olofinjana all demanding good saves.
And the inevitable second came when Naylor's pass released Cameron for a square pass that Carl Cort touched home in the 22nd minute.

"We have come close to playing like that before," said Hoddle. "It was not out of the blue.
"It was a magnificent performance all across the field from start to finish. If there's a negative, it's that we didn't score more.
"But all credit to their keeper. He made three world-class saves but we have proved to everyone tonight that we are a good side.
"Joe Royle has changed his side's shape on a night when they needed three points and that shows respect.
"We played some excellent football on a difficult pitch but we have been playing well for many weeks and could easily have won 10 of the 14 games we've drawn while I've been here."

11th April 2005

Wolves 2-0 Ipswich

5mins: GOAL, Cameron gives Wolves the lead.
22mins: GOAL, Cort doubles Wolves lead.
45mins: Kuqi hits the woodwork.
Half Time: Wolves 2-0 Ipswich.
45mins: Ipswich substitution, Currie on for Richards and Scowcroft on for Kuqi.
45mins: Wolves substitution, Clarke on for Cort (injured).
59mins: Yellow card, Scowcroft.
75mins: Ipswich substitution, Counago on for Westlake.
Full Time: Wolves 2-0 Ipswich.

9th April 2005

New Deals

Veteran midfielder Paul Ince is to be rewarded with a new contract at Wolves.
Ince's present deal expires at the end of the season but Wolves boss Glenn Hoddle has recommended the 37-year-old for an extension.
Hoddle feels that it would be folly to allow Ince to leave Molineux and is keen for an accord to be struck between the ex-England international and the club.

"The way Paul is playing I don't think anyone can suggest he does not deserve another year," said Hoddle.
The former Manchester United ace joined Wolves in 2002 and he remains a lynchpin of the Championship side's engine room.
His midfield cohort Keith Andrews is also set to be rewarded with a new contract at Molineux, despite him currently being sidelined with a hernia injury.

"The timing is unfortunate for the lad," added Hoddle.
"It's never a good time to have an injury but it's difficult when you are coming towards the end of your contract.
"Nothing has been sorted out regarding next season yet, and negotiations haven't started, but we will be looking to keep him." 

8th April 2005

Team News

Wolves: boss Glenn Hoddle is expected to keep faith with the same side with Keith Andrews (groin) and Mark Clyde (knee) again set to miss out.
Matt Murray is out with a broken foot, George Ndah has a thigh injury and Vio Ganea (knee) is in rehabilitation.

Ipswich: Midfielder Tommy Miller should be fit for despite suffering a calf injury in the win over Rotherham.
Miller, who was substituted in the second half on Tuesday, has missed training but only as a precaution. 

7th April 2005

Semi-Final First-Leg

Wolves lost 1-0 to Southampton in the first-leg of the FA Youth Cup semi-final at the St Mary's Stadium.

Southampton got the only goal of the game when Best took a through ball from David McGoldrick and skipped around Wayne Hennessey before slotting the ball into an empty net.

The second-leg will be at Molineux next Wednesday 13th April with a 7.30pm kick-off, tickets are £3 adults and £1.50 concessions.

Southampton: McNeil, Richards, Critchell (Wallis-Tayler 49), Rudd, Cranie (capt), James, Walcott (Condesso 75), Sparv, Best, McGoldrick, Dyer.
Unused Subs: Jones, Dutton-Black, Lallana.
Wolves: Hennessey, Little, Rafferty, Taylor, Riley, Davies (capt), Musson, Gleeson, Stewart, Cornes, Collins (Fitzpatrick 77).
Unused Subs: Shepherd, Bennett, Ferran, Hughes.
Attendance: 5,621.

6th April 2005

Match Reaction

Leicester manager Craig Levein is recommending some rule-book revision for referee Eddie Evans after the Foxes were held to a 1-1 Walkers Stadium draw by Wolves.
City had taken the lead in the 73rd minute through left-back Alan Maybury who netted his first goal for the club since signing from Hearts in January.
But the visitors equalised in the 88th minute when central defender Joleon Lescott fired home a volley from 18 yards out to guarantee Wanderers their 20th draw of the season, a new club record which eclipses the previous tally of 19 which was set in their 1990-91 season.
Wolves manager Glenn Hoddle confessed he had never known a sequence like it but Foxes counterpart Levein was left to lament a disallowed goal and a convincing penalty appeal waved away by the Greater Manchester official.

Hoddle said: "The referee came in at half-time and was going to switch his shirt to green but that clashed with Michael Oakes' jersey so Michael changed to silver for the second half.
"Then the ref comes out in black but that clashed with the Leicester goalkeeper.
"As for Leicester's disallowed goal, I was sitting in the stand and I immediately thought it was an offside.
"Stephen Hughes played the ball through and it was too quick to see whether the ball came off Joleon or not.
"The linesman's got to make a split-second decision and you can't blame him for giving the offside because 99.9% of linesmen would do the same.
"But that's our 20th draw of the season and I've never come across anything like that before."

5th April 2005

Leicester 1-1 Wolves

Noting to report in the first half.
Half Time: Leicester 0-0 Wolves.
58mins: Yellow card, McCarthy.
61mins: Yellow card, Miller.
73mins: Goal, Maybury gives Leicester the lead.
79mins: Wolves substitution, Cameron on for Kennedy.
80mins: Wolves substitution, Clarke on for Seol.
87mins: Leicester substitution, Nalis on for Connolly.
88mins: GOAL, Lescott equalises for Wolves!!
89mins: Leicester substitution, Moore on for Gillespie.
90mins: Leicester substitution, Wilcox on for Gudjonsson.
Full Time: Leicester 1-1 Wolves.

4th april 2005

Team News

Leicester manager Craig Levein will once again be able to call on defender Nikos Dabizas.
Dabizas was forced to miss the weekend's 3-1 home win over Millwall while serving a one-game suspension.
But on-loan Southampton full-back Darren Kenton, laid low by mumps last week, has little chance of playing while Richard Stearman is facing a race to regain fitness before the end of the season after picking up ankle and cheekbone injuries.
Jordan Stewart is available once more though after recovering from a dislocated shoulder while winger Jason Wilcox has reported no reaction after completing 45 minutes against the Lions following cruciate knee ligament surgery.
Danny Tiatto has also returned to fitness after a hamstring niggle.

Wolves manager Glenn Hoddle has plenty of selection headaches ahead of the trip to Leicester.
Captain Paul Ince will face a late fitness test after reporting a knee problem sustained during the 1-1 draw with Leeds at Elland Road.
Winger Mark Kennedy is struggling to bounce back from an ankle injury, whilst striker Carl Cort and full-back Rob Edwards are doubtful with back injuries.
Midfielder Keith Andrews misses out with a groin problem and Mark Clyde will also be absent after undergoing keyhole surgery to discover the cause of discomfort in his knee.
Goalkeeper Matt Murray remains sidelined as he recovers from surgery to repair a broken foot and George Ndah is out with long-term thigh injury.
The game is also expected to come too soon for fellow striker Vio Ganea despite the Romanian's quicker-than-expected recovery from cruciate knee ligament surgery.

3rd April 2005

Match Reaction

Wolves manager Glenn Hoddle refused to condemn goalkeeper Michael Oakes for the blunder which cost his side victory over Leeds at Elland Road.
Oakes punched into the roof of his own net a 50th-minute Shaun Derry 20-yard free-kick cancelling out Carl Cort's opener five minutes before the interval.
Oakes' mistake led to Wolves equalling a club record of 19 League draws in a season, initially set during the 1990-91 campaign, with this latest point all but ending the hopes of both clubs of reaching the Coca-Cola Championship play-offs.

Hoddle admitted he was frustrated by the 1-1 draw but did not point the finger at Oakes.
"Michael will be disappointed with the way the goal had gone in but he has been magnificent for us in recent matches," said Hoddle.
"He has been playing very consistently but unfortunately his mistake today cost us two points.
"But I have told him mistakes happen and it is how you react to them. He kept a cool head after that and he has a good temperament and will bounce back from it.
"He has played so well for us this season and I have been delighted with him as a goalkeeper. He has held his hands up today, and he is not happy, but he will learn from it."

The result leaves both teams stuck in mid-table - with Leeds now drawing four on the trot - and the two clubs will have to produce a late run of wins if they are to have any chance of reaching the top six.
"It's always been a tall order, trying to reach the play-offs," added Hoddle.
"We have been playing catch-up right the way through the season, but I have been delighted with the way we have been performing.
"We are so close to winning matches, which makes it all the more frustrating, But we have been playing a lot of good football."

2nd April 2005

Leeds 1-1 Wolves

40mins: GOAL, Cort gives Wolves the lead, Heading in Naylor's corner.
Half Time: Leeds 0-1 Wolves.
49mins: Yellow card, Edwards.
50mins: Goal, Derry equalises for Leeds from a free-kick.
61mins: Wolves substitution, Seol on for Ricketts.
73mins: Leeds substitution, Einarsson on for Johnson.
74mins: Leeds substitution, Healy on for Hulse (injured).
75mins: Yellow card, Ince.
79mins: Miller hits the woodwork.
82mins: Wolves substitution, Cameron on for Kennedy.
85mins: Leeds substitution, Spring on for King.
Full Time: Leeds 1-1 Wolves.

1st April 2005

Team News

Leeds: manager Kevin Blackwell may be forced into fielding an experimental line-up after a rash of injuries.
Despite a break of just over a fortnight, injuries still remain to Frazer Richardson (hamstring), Simon Walton (thigh) and Matthew Kilgallon (ankle ligaments). None of the trio have trained this week.
The Whites are also without the suspended pair of Sean Gregan, who serves the last match, and Michael Gray, who still has two more matches to go.
Gary Kelly is suffering from tonsillitis and is a major doubt.
New signing Ian Moore is set to make his debut, with Blackwell confirming he will be involved in some capacity and may even start.
Seth Johnson could also start his first Championship game.

Wolves: manager Glenn Hoddle will hold a late roll call before naming his squad for the away game against Leeds.
Most of his international stars returned to the club on Thursday but striker Ki-Hyeon Seol was a late arrival following his appearance for South Korea.
If he is not fit enough to play then Hoddle could call upon either Rohan Ricketts or Leon Clarke.