'The Wolves' Site News Page

4mins: Goal, Wimbledon take the lead through Shipperley from a corner.
15mins: GOAL, Ingimarsson heads Wolves level from a Naylor corner.
29mins: Sturridge heads onto the outside of the post.
35mins: Yellow card, Williams.
2 minutes added.
Half-Time: Wimbledon 1-1 Wolves.
54mins: Goal, Wimbledon take the lead again, through Gray.
67mins: Wolves substitution, Miller on for Newton.
70mins: GOAL, Sturridge levels for Wolves.
77mins: Goal, Wimbledon again take the lead, Shipperley getting his second.
87mins: Wolves substitution, Proudlock on for Sturridge.
3 minutes added.
92mins: Wimbledon substitution, Nowland on for Gray.
Full-Time: Wimbledon 3-2 Wolves.

Wimbledon: 3

Davis, Darlington, Williams, Gier, Hawkins, McAnuff, Francis, Andersen, Tapp, Shipperley, Gray.

Subs: Ainsworth, Willmott, Heald, Nowland (92), Leigertwood.

Cards: Yellow: Williams. Red: None.

Wolves: 2

Murray, Irwin, Butler, Lescott, Naylor, Rae, Ingimarsson, Cooper, Newton, Blake, Sturridge.

Subs: Proudlock (87), Pollet, Miller (67), Edworthy, Solly.

Cards: Yellow: None. Red: None.

Wimbledon: boss Stuart Murdoch hopes to welcome back striker Patrick Agyemang who has been out with an ankle injury (ankle)
Swedish International midfielder Hakan Mild (leg) and former Sunderland man Darren Holloway (heel) are also set to feature.

Wolves: have Paul Ince battling to be fit from a knee injury suffered in last weekend's 4-1 win away at Derby.
Keeper Michael Oakes will have a late fitness test at to decide if he's fit after he damaged his ribs during training on Thursday. Oakes currently has made 125 consecutive League appearances for Wolves.

As expected Wolves away match against Ipswich Town on Wednesday 18th September has been postponed.
Last night Ipswich beat Avenir Beggen of Luxemburg 9-1 on aggregate in the preliminary round, and qualified for the first round of the UEFA Cup, which will be played in the same week they were due to play Wolves. The Football League confirmed this morning that the match would have to be rescheduled.

Molineux season ticket sales are close to breaking the record sales figure since the stadium was redeveloped. In the 1996/97 season a total of 18,169 tickets were sold and this seasons total has now exceeded 17,500. Chief executive Jez Moxey thinks that the record total will soon be bettered.
He said on WOW: "We are obviously delighted that so many Wolverhampton Wanderers fans have decided to become season ticket holders this year."
"This is a clear demonstration of the support that they have for the things we, as a club, are doing."
"When you consider that we will soon be selling a ‘half season ticket’, it is not beyond the realms of possibility for us to surpass the total set in 96/7."
"I would ask supporters to note that if anyone is still interested in purchasing a full season ticket then, unlike previous seasons, you must do so before the introduction of our season ticket sales ‘cut off date’ which is scheduled to be at the end of business following the Preston North End match on 8th September."
"This is a new policy we are introducing but as there will be no financial benefit for fans buying a season ticket after the Preston match, we see no point in continuing sales after this date."
"However, from 9th September fans may apply for our special 11 match ‘half season ticket’ which will be valid from and including the Bradford City match on 28th December."
"Further details will be available in due course."

Transfers: The Express and Star are reporting that striker Michael Branch has pleaded for a move away from Wolves after revealing his "hell" at Molineux.
Transfer-listed Branch's latest chance to impress potential suitors ended in agony when he was taken off with a knee injury in last night's 2-0 reserve defeat to Burnley and he admitted he is at the lowest point of his career.
Branch has not started a first team game since last January and revealed he now had to train away from the senior squad.
He has been on the list for a year but Wolves still haven't received any bids and the former Everton forward is desperate for a fresh start.
*Update* Wolves boss Dave Jones has hit back at Michael Branch's comments on WOW he said: "Sometimes players need to do what they are paid for and that’s play football. - rather than spouting off. It seems to be a disease in the football world.
"I can’t place him (find him a club). I’ve got three phones and none of them are ringing.
"It doesn’t matter where you play - even if it’s at reserve level - you have to put on a performance.
"My shoulders are broad - I’m sure he means well but I don’t kick the ball. Players need to do their talking with their feet."

Wolves reserves lost their first home match of the season 2-0 last night against Burnley reserves.
Burnley took the lead in the 25th minute lead, Keeper Matt Murray slipped and lost control of the ball whilst trying to clear and Burnley striker Dimitrios Papadopoulos intercepted. Papadopoulos was running away from goal but he was tripped by Murray and the referee pointed straight to the spot. Papadopoulos put the spot kick high over the bar but the referee ordered that it be retaken because of an infringement and the second time he made no mistake.
Blake sealed Burnley’s victory with a close range shot two minutes from time.

Wolves: Murray, Edworthy, Camara, Ward, Clyde, Coleman, Vincent, Melligan, Branch (Watson 65), Jones, Walters.
Unused Subs: Slater, Solly, Danks, Gobern.

Burnley: Salisbury, Leeson, G. Branch, Davies, Eves, Weller (Pilkington 45), Blake, Waine, Payton (Chaplow 85), Papadopoulos (Rasmussen 45), O’Neill.
Unused Subs: Scott, Carter.

Wolves said after last nights match: “I don’t think we played well, but then we kept battling away and at 1-1 I only thought there was going to be one winner.
“But we fell away at the back and full credit to them, they kept chasing and battling and earned their point.”
“The fans have to be patient. We kept trying to play, trying to pass and it paid off as it did on Saturday, by leading to our goals.”
“The second goal was a poor one to give away. We can’t allow people to have free headers in our box. It’s always bad to give two goals away but then I’m sure that they think the same about our goals.”
“We have to live with sides coming here and lifting their play. We didn’t play well, although some of our moves and passes were good, the final ball let us down, but it is to our credit that we kept going and got our two goals and of that, I am proud.”
“Their boy, Shefki Kuqi was everywhere. His speed was just amazing. I wonder how long he will be able to keep that up.”

9mins: Goal, Kuqi put Wednesday ahead from a McLaren pass.
15mins: Yellow card, Westwood.
16mins: Blake goal disallowed for off-side after a Lee Naylor free-kick was charged down by the wall.
3 minutes added on.
Half-Time: Wolves 0-1 Sheff Wed.
60mins: GOAL, Blake heads Wolves level from a Newton cross.
63mins: Goal, Sheff Wed take the lead again through Kuqi on the break.
68mins: Yellow card, Armstrong.
68mins: GOAL, Sturridge heads Wolves back level.
80mins: Yellow card, Blake.
85mins: Wolves substitution, Miller on for Newton.
4 minutes added on.
93mins: Yellow card, Bromby.
Full-time: Wolves 2-2 Sheff Wed.

Wolves: 2

Oakes, Irwin, Naylor, Ingimarsson, Lescott, Butler, Rae, Cooper, Blake, Sturridge, Newton.

Subs: Murray, Pollet, Connelly, Miller (85), Proudlock.

Cards: Yellow: Blake. Red: None.

Sheff Wed: 2

Pressman, McLaren, Bromby, Soltvedt, Sibon, Kuqi, Knight, Armstrong, Burrows, Westwood, Gerary.

Subs: Hendon, Maddix, Donnolly, Hamshaw, Evans.

Cards: Yellow: Westwood, Armstrong, Bromby. Red: None.

Wolves: Paul Ince may be forced to sit out after suffering a knee injury in the 4-1 win over Derby on Saturday.
Dave Jones said: "He took a knock to the knee at some point and it was a bit sore and started to stiffen up.
"I couldn't see the point in risking him, although he didn't want to come off."

Sheff Wed: are likely to be without Lloyd Owusu, who is struggling with a knee injury, while Phil O'Donnell definitely misses out after injuring an ankle for the reserves.

The Molineux Academy sides travelled north to Newcastle on Saturday for their opening games of the Academy League season. The under 17s enjoyed a 1-0 victory after Kevin O’Connor headed in from Tom Bonner's free-kick ten minutes into the second half.

The under 19s lost 4-2, Newcastle took the lead after just five minutes, and scored again after 15 minutes. Mark Danks pulled one back for Wolves with a penalty after he had been fouled. Newcastle then got a third but Ashley Vincent made it 3-2 just before half-time after a mistake by their keeper. Wolves had a couple of good chances in the second half but United scored again with around 20 minutes left.

In September 2001, we published an article which suggested Mark Kennedy, the Wolves and Ireland footballer, had behaved disgracefully towards David Beckham in a nightclub and at his home. We now accept those those allegations were untrue.
We apologise to Mr Kennedy for having published them and have agreed to pay him substantial damages.

Wolves boss Dave Jones said: "Believe me, we are stronger than last season and primarily that's because of the players I have brought in."
"Paul didn't want to come off and as he did he was still shouting out instructions. I told him 'Hey, we've got four players on the bench as good as you, come off and I didn't listen to his reply!'."
"Seriously though if players feel they can carry on that's fine as long as they don't force the issue."
Jones admitted his team handed Derby a gift of an equaliser on the brink of half-time.
"I'm disappointed with the goal we gave away. It was a silly free-kick to give away and we fell asleep when it came into the box."
"But once we went a gear up I thought some of our football was awesome at times."
"There's a dressing room full of good players and even if they are not picked to start they will support the XI that have been."

Kick-off delayed until 3.15pm, due to flooding and road congestion.
19mins: GOAL, Rae puts Wolves ahead. Naylor crossed and Ingimarsson headed down for Rae to score.
32mins: Wolves substitution, Cooper on for Ince (Injury).
3 minutes added.
45(+3)mins: Goal, Derby equalise on the stroke of half-time from a free-kick that rolled through to Christie.
Half-Time: Derby 1-1 Wolves.
46mins: Derby substitution, Morris on for Twigg.
55mins: Yellow card, Ingimarsson.
75mins: Yellow card, Cooper.
76mins: Wolves substitution, Miller on for Sturridge.
78mins: GOAL, Cooper puts Wolves back in the lead, his shot deflected in.
81mins: Derby substitution, Tudgay on for A Murray.
84mins: Yellow card, Tudgay.
87mins: GOAL, Miller lofts a free-kick and Rae chest's down and from 20 yards gets his second of the match.
88mins: Wolves substitution, Proudlock on for Newton.
3 minutes added.
92mins: GOAL, Kenny Miller gets his goal!! Teed up by Blake.
Full-Time: Derby 1-4 Wolves.

Derby: boss John Gregory says it is "touch and go" whether Chris Riggott (ankle) will be back.
Brian O'Neil (thigh) won't be back until the home game against Stoke City on August 31 at the earliest, while long-term absentees Luciano Zavagno, Craig Burley and Simo Valakari are still struggling on the sidelines.

Wolves: Shaun Newton should start after overcoming a midweek virus and Mohamed Camara should be fit after also being struck down by the virus. Striker Nathan Blake (calf) should feature but Colin Cameron (knee) and winger Mark Kennedy (groin) are not yet ready.

Defender Marc Edworthy has signed for Wolves on a non-contract basis and will only get paid when he plays, he has been training at Molineux all summer after Coventry released him.
Wolves boss Dave Jones wants to sign him on a permanent basis but is unable to do so until he sells players.
Jones said: "Marc will only get a permanent contract when some unwanted players move out of the club but has linked up with us on a non-contract basis."
The other trialist who has spent the summer at Molineux goalkeeper Russell Howarth has joined Tottenham on trial with a view to a permanent move, Spurs have agreed a fee with his club York which Wolves were unable to do.
Jones said: "Russell Howarth has gone to Spurs because they have offered a price that pleases York.
"I cant stand in his way. he wanted to stay at Molineux but Spurs are a Premiership club. If it does not work out then we will re-assess the situation."

Wolves have announced that Derby County released 490 extra tickets for Saturday's match because Wolves sold out of the original allocation of 3156 tickets within days of them going on sale.
Wolves asked for more tickets and Derby released a further 508 seats which went on sale on Friday, but sold out in just six hours. More supporters were asking for tickets to the game and Derby agreed to release a final 490 tickets for away supporters.
Tickets are only available by calling the Wolves Ticket Hotline on 0870 4441884 between 9am and 5pm.
A £1 booking fee will apply for all transactions and tickets must be collected from Pride Park on Saturday.

Wolves reserves beat Walsall reserves 3-0 last night at the Bescot Stadium.
Wolves took a ninth minute lead when Michael Branch crossed from the right and George Ndah scored from near the penalty spot.
Wolves second came from a Ludo Pollet free-kick which found Ndah who passed through to Proudlock who scored from 15-yards.
Branch headed Wolves third goal from close range after a centre from Cooper.

Walsall: Ward, Paschalis, Simpson, Caines, Bennett, Smith, Rodrigues, Bishop, Zdrilic, Martinez (Stanley 67), Herivelto.
Unused subs: Harris, Dixon, Eno, Lloyd.
Booking: Bishop.

Wolves: Murray, Connelly, Talbot (Coleman 65), Graham Ward, Pollet, Clyde, Branch, Melligan (Clingan 65), Proudlock, Ndah, Cooper.
Unused subs: Solly, Vincent, Walters.
Bookings: Cooper, Melligan.

Wolves striker Nathan Blake is out of Wales international against Croatia on Wednesday because of a calf strain he picked up during Wolves victory over Burnley on Saturday. Although he doesn't think that it’s serious, he say's he wouldn’t feel confident of getting through 90 minutes of an international game and and doesn't want to aggravate it and be ruled out of Saturday’s game at Derby.
Wolves new signing Ivar Ingimarsson has been called up for Iceland's friendly with Andorra.

Wolves winger Mark Kennedy has returned to Molineux for some light training after a three-week break to recover from surgery. Kennedy had an operation on his groin, in Antwerp earlier this month.

Wolves midfielder Colin Cameron is going to see a specialist this afternoon about the knee injury he picked up following a challenge from Burnley’s Steve Davis in the seventh minute of Saturday’s game with Burnley.
Physio Barry Holmes said on WOW: "Colin came into the ground yesterday for treatment and it looks like he’s damaged his medial ligament."
"The injury will be reviewed by a specialist this afternoon and then we will be able to confirm the problem."
"If it is, as we suspect, the medial ligament, then he is going to be unavailable for around six weeks."

John Ward may be able to resume his coaching duties in around a month’s time as he recovers from the second of two hip operations.
Ward was at Molineux to watch the Walsall game from the directors box, as he is still on crutches following the operation. He’ll start coming in over the next couple of weeks to do office work.

Wolves boss Dave Jones said after the game: “We talked in training about how long we were going to give Paul and we’d hoped to be able to bring him on for around 20 minutes."
“When Colin got injured I said to Paul to go on and ‘just see how you go – we can always bring you off again’."
“He looked tired by the end but he needed that match – and he wanted it. He’s really got an appetite to play. He’s been asking the fitness coach for extra training sessions this week – although he never thought he was going to have to play for an hour.”
“It was a good solid and professional performance – especially when they went down to ten men. I felt we moved the ball around better than we did on Wednesday. We kept it, we probed and the third goal showed that our approach paid off.
“We’ve played three games in six days and I asked the players yesterday for one big effort today. Then we would have a week to re-charge our batteries."
“The dressing room got that result today because those who didn’t play supported those who did. Ok, they weren’t happy that they had been left out of the side, but once the team had been picked they were very professional and offered those that were playing their support.”
“Ingi has had a great start to his career at Wolves. He made some great runs and had a few chances. He just needs to work on his finishing.”
Jones said about Cameron's injury: “We’re hoping that it’s his medial ligaments.”
“But we won’t know how serious it is until the scan’s been done and we get the results.”

Paul Ince said after his debut: “I’d expected to play a part in today’s game but after just a week’s training I thought it’d be just 20 minutes or half an hour, depending how the game was going,”
“But when Mickey (Colin Cameron) got seriously injured then the gaffer turned to me and said what do you reckon? I said yes, of course.”
“It was great to play and it was a really good game. It obviously helped that they had a man sent off but we were very strong. I think we’d have beaten them anyway.”
“It was a really great start for me, you can’t ask for much better than 3-0, personally, I felt very comfortable out there. I enjoyed the game and was very happy. But after only the week to fully prepare I was getting a bit tired in the last 10 minutes.”
“I’d say it’s been a good start all round. We’ve got a week to get ready for the trip to Derby so although that’s going to be another hard test I’m feeling good about it and look forward to the challenge.”

Wolves have change the way they report the Molineux attendance figures this season. The club will register attendances from the number of tickets sold, rather than the numbers who actually attend games.
The difference will mean attendances should 'rise' by around 1,000 each match, with non-attending season ticket holders being the bulk of those who will now be included in attendance figures.
In the past it has largely been the season ticket holders that have caused confusion when a game that has been billed as ‘sold out’ has returned an attendance below capacity because they haven't come to the match.
The new method has been adopted by many clubs in recent years and Chief Executive Jez Moxey said:
"We have simply decided to record attendance figures how a lot of other clubs do now."
"Birmingham are the obvious example where they give out the crowd based on the number of tickets sold and it's something I have decided to do."
"We are a commercial organisation and it seems appropriate that we fall into line with other clubs."
"It's of far more interest to me to record the number of tickets sold people who have paid to be there rather than the actual number who attend games."
"We might get 800 or 900 who don't turn up even though they have paid to attend. But this doesn't mean we earn any more money and gate receipts don't change."
Jez called on the Football League to create a new ruling to prevent any distortion through comparison.
"We have said to the League that they should come out with a directive so that all clubs should report their gates in the same way."
"Birmingham, Albion and most Premiership record their attendances in this way and I think we have been out of step with other clubs."
"If we have sold 28,000 tickets then that's the attendance. If half of them don't turn up then that's their decision."

2mins: GOAL, Blake scores after a mistake by the Burnley keeper.
7mins: Red Card, Cook, after taking out Alex Rae and using foul and abusive langauge.
9mins: Wolves substitution, Ince on for Cameron (Injured).
12mins: Yellow card, Taylor.
18mins: Burnley substitution, I Moore on for A Moore (Injured).
25mins: Yellow card, Ingimarsson.
37mins: Handball by West, penalty to Wolves.
38mins: Michopoulos saves Miller's penalty.
*4 minutes added.
Half-Time: Wolves 1-0 Burnley.
49mins: GOAL, Irwin scores from a free-kick, from by the D of the penalty area.
62mins: Burnley substitution, Cox on for Weller.
67mins: Wolves substitution, Cooper on for Rae.
70mins: Burnley substitution, Papadopoulos on for Little.
73mins: Yellow card, Gnohere.
76mins: Wolves substitution, Sturridge on for Miller.
88mins: GOAL, Cooper gets Wolves third, rounding the keeper.
*2 minutes added.
Full-Time: Wolves 3-0 Burnley

Wolves: 3

Oakes, Irwin, Naylor, Ingimarsson, Lescott, Butler, Rae, Cameron, Blake, Miller, Newton.

Subs: Murray, Sturridge (76), Cooper (67), Ince (9), Proudlock.

Cards: Yellow: Ingimarsson. Red: None.

Burnley: 0

Michopoulos, West, Davis, Little, Taylor, Briscoe, Gnohere, Weller, Cook, A Moore, McGregor.

Subs: I Moore (18), Papadopoulos (70), Payton, Cox (62), Blake.

Cards: Yellow: Taylor, Gnohere. Red: Cook.

Wolves: Dave Jones now has Paul Ince and Striker Dean Sturridge fully fit and ready to play, Ince is expected to start on the bench tomorrow but Sturridge could replace George Ndah in the Wolves front line.

Burnley: Burnley boss Stan Ternent will wait until as late as possible before naming his team for the Molineux clash.
Ternent is hoping Tony Grant (foot), Gordon Armstrong (hamstring), Paul Weller (knee) and Glen Little (shin) all come through late tests.

Wolves have had two matches chosen for Sky's live coverage, which means day's and times have been changed. Brighton’s first trip to Molineux Saturday 9th November has been put back to Monday 11th November, with a 7:45pm kick-off.
Also in November, Wolves away match with Rotherham has been delayed by two and a half hours to a 5.35pm kick-off, but is still played on Saturday 30th November.

Wolves boss Dave Jones was praising Colin Cameron after the match, he said: "We know he makes great runs and we finally picked him out tonight."
"He is a central midfield player who has been given more offensive than defensive duties."
"He shows what a cool and calm person he is in front of goal."
"His second was super movement and a great finish."
But Jones wasn't happy about the goal Wolves gave away he said: "We went sloppy and gave them one. It was an awful goal to give away."

9mins: Walsall substitution, Hay on for Carbon.
10mins: GOAL, Cameron scores Wolves first goal of the season. Newton crossed from the right and Cameron scored from 6 yards out.
Half-Time: Wolves 1-0 Walsall.
55mins: GOAL, Cameron scores his and Wolves second, Miller headed down to him.
58mins: Yellow card, Butler.
65mins: Walsall substitution, Herivelto on for Leitao.
68mins: Goal, Walsall pull one back through Herivelto.
69mins: Walsall substitution, Martinez on for Matias.
75mins: Wolves substitution, Sturridge on for Miller.
83mins: Wolves substitution, Proudlock on for Blake.
86mins: GOAL, Newton scores at the back post after Proudlock crossed and Sturridge stepped over.
89mins: Yellow card, Wright.
Full-Time: Wolves 3-1 Walsall.

Wolves: 3

Oakes, Irwin, Naylor, Ingimarsson, Lescott, Butler, Rae, Cameron, Blake, Miller, Newton.

Subs: Murray, Pollet, Cooper, Sturridge (75), Proudlock (83).

Cards: Yellow: Butler. Red: None.

Walsall: 1

Walker, Bazeley, Aranalde, Carbon, Roper, Wrack, Leitao, Corica, Matias, Birch, Wright.

Subs: Wark, Hay (9), Gadsby, Herivelto (65), Martinez (69).

Cards: Yellow: Wright. Red: None.

The ticket office have reported that all tickets for Wolves fans have now been sold, and are asking if you do not have a ticket, please do not travel.
An early arrival is also advised as Doritos are treating fans to a firework display as part of the pre-match entertainment for the first home game of the 2002/03 season.

Wolves boss Dave Jones is still waiting on the progress of Dean Sturridge before naming him in tomorrow’s squad.
George Ndah has trained today and is fit after needing a stitch in his ankle after clashing with Gus Uhlenbeek on Sunday.
Paul Ince might be on the bench, but the Guvner is still short of fitness.
Molineux could be sold-out for the opening home game of the season tomorrow night.
Only 2,500 tickets were left last night in the home parts of the ground and Walsall only have 50 unsold tickets in the lower tier of the John Ireland Stand.

Bryan Robson is being linked with the assistant managers job at Molineux. John Ward and other backroom staff were criticised by fans after Wolves failed to gain promotion last season.
Robson could be the third former Manchester United star to join Wolves this summer after the signings of Irwin and Ince, to help Wolves end their 19-year stay out of top-flight football.
Robson is thought to be keen to get back into football after leaving Middlesbrough last summer.

*Update*
Wolves Chief executive Jez Moxey has quickly denied rumours suggesting Bryan Robson was joining the Molineux coaching staff, replacing John Ward as Dave Jones assistant.
Jez said on WOW: “This story is pure fantasy. There is no truth in it whatsoever. I have no idea where such stories could come from.”
Jez also spoke about the suggestions over the weekend that Mohamed Camara is the subject of interest from Second Division Luton Town.
“There have been a couple of rumours flying around about interest in Mo,” says Jez.
“However, we have had no contact with Luton Town or any other club about him.”

Wolves boss Dave Jones said after Wolves first match of the season: "I think people thought we were going to come here and just go our own way, and that was never going to be the case because of what's gone on here in pre-season."
"As long as we contained their high ball into our box - I didn't think they were going to score in open play, but any side is dangerous from set plays."
"I thought we defended well and probably should have won it. But it's coming. That's the first game out of the way."
"There were a lot of nerves in the dressing room before the game. That's out of the way now and we can settle down and play football."

16mins: Yellow cards, Blake and Wetherall.
30mins: Yellow cards, Lescott and Kearney.
44mins: Yellow card, Irwin.
Half-Time: Bradford 0-0 Wolves.
76mins: Wolves substitution, Ndah on for Miller.
79mins: Yellow card, Uhlenbeek.
90mins: Yellow card, Ndah.
Full-Time: Bradford 0-0 Wolves.

Bradford: 0

Walsh, Uhlenbeek, Myers, Wetherall, Emanuel, Lawrence, Evans, Kearney, Gray, Ward, Cadamarteri.

Subs: Davison, Bower, Standing, Atherton, Tod.

Cards: Yellow: Wetherall, Kearney, Uhlenbeek. Red: None.

Wolves: 0

Oakes, Irwin, Lescott, Butler, Naylor, Newton, Ingimarsson, Rae, Cameron, Blake, Miller.

Subs: Ndah (76), Camara, Cooper, Murray, Pollet.

Cards: Yellow: Blake, Lescott, Irwin, Ndah. Red: None.

Wolves: Paul Butler will captain Wolves despite the arrival of Paul Ince, who looks set for the bench as he has only trained for a few days and is still lacking match fitness.
Denis Irwin will make his debut and Dave Jones will wait for a late decision from striker Dean Sturridge, Wolves are missing Mark Kennedy and Keith Andrews.

Bradford: boss Nicky Law has rushed through the signings of Andy Gray, Paul Evans and Gus Uhlenbeek and all three will make their debuts.

Wolves have released their new away kit for the 2002/03 season, the kit is completely white. It is not going to be available to buy until early October, but Wolves will be wearing it at Bradford on Sunday.

Police are seeking talks with management at Molineux over the re-introduction of the controversial Liquidator theme song at Wolves' home games.
Local rivals Saddlers make the journey to Wolverhampton next Wednesday.
But the city's football policing department has yet to find out whether the tune's reappearance at the club's last two home matches - the play-off against Norwich and the friendly against Newcastle - is a permanent fixture.
Management banned Harry J And The Allstars' ska classic, which was a fans' favourite, following police advice, because it incited anti-West Bromwich Albion chants.
Football liaison officer Clive Whitfield, of Bilston Street police, said today: "It was our first friendly match of the season against Newcastle on Saturday and I have yet to talk to anyone at the Molineux.
"There was an agreement between us and the club that the song was encouragement for home fans to use foul and abusive language.
"It seems a little strange that they are asking people not to use that language with signs around the ground, then encouraging them to use that language."
But despite a few guest appearances since it was banned in the mid-90s, The Liquidator - to the disappointment of some and the relief of others - seems unlikely to make its way back onto the playlist.

So the great minds of the Police have finally worked out how to stop rival fans singing songs about each other and disliking each others teams. Watch out if you don't hear the Liquidator played in the next 24 hours you will start getting side effects of handing bunches of flowers to Baggie fans, plus you will loose all swear words instantly from your vocabulary!!

Wolves midfielder Shaun Newton went to hospital yesterday to have an in-growing toenail removed. He will spend today with his foot up, then be back training tomorrow and be available for this weekend.

Wolves boss Dave Jones is leaving the decision up to Dean Sturridge about whether he is fit enough to play against Bradford City on Sunday.
Wolves top goal scorer last season is likely to miss the opening game of the season after suffering a gashed leg in the friendly with Newcastle.
He has had eight stitches and hasn't been able to train all week, but says he is confident that he can recover in time for the clash at Valley Parade.
Dave Jones said: "Dean doesn't want to miss the match. I know he badly wants to play but I will leave it to him to to tell me if he will be ready. I know he will give me the right answer."

The Wolves boss has also confirmed that Paul Butler will be captaining Wolves this season.
There was rumours that new signing Paul Ince might get the job, but the Guvner was not assuming the job would go to him.
He said: "Butts is already captain and there’s no reason to talk about it, I’ll be a captain on the pitch anyway. I don’t need an armband to be a leader."

Wolves have already sold out of all adult sizes of their new replica shirts with the Doritos logo and say that it could be the end of August before the next batch comes in.
The last time Wolves launched a new home strip they sold 621 shirts on the first day, this time they sold 4,300, they have even taken the shirts from the models in the club shop window. There are a few childrens sizes left and Wolves are working with Admiral to get some more in as soon as possible.

Wolves drew their last pre-season friendly at Eaton Park 0-0 with Burton Albion last night. The very young Wolves side were wearing a one-off away strip of blue shirts with white trim and white shorts with a blue trim.

Burton: Duke, Kavanagh, Talbot, Evans (Henshaw 61), Blount, Hoyle, Stride (Glasser 24), Kirkwood, Moore, Webster, Walters.
Unused subs: Robinson, Gummer, Wraith, Clough, Swinscoe.
Wolves: Murray, Flynn, N. Clark, Ward, Clyde, McChrystal (Slater 56), Branch, Melligan, Allen, Clingan, Jones.
Unused subs: Brown, Mahon, Steele.

Wolves will be without winger Mark Kennedy until October after he successfully underwent an operation last week to mend a muscle tear to his groin, which should have been dealt with in April.
Wolves boss Dave Jones says it will be another 10 weeks before Kennedy will be fit to play once again.
He said: "Mark should be running in five weeks time. He will be sprinting in eight weeks and, in 10 weeks time, he should be match fit."
Irish midfielder Keith Andrews is getting stronger after his knee surgery, he should soon be back in contention for a place in the squad. Dean Sturridge's stitches are being closely monitered, but it's unlikely he will be available for Saturday's opening game.

Ex-England midfielder Paul Ince is signing a one-season deal at Molineux this morning after he completed a medical in Manchester last night, he will then take part in his first training session. Wolves are set to reveal the player they have wanting to sign all summer to the media at 1pm.
Wolves boss Dave Jones said on WOW: "Like Denis Irwin, he is going to be a fantastic asset to the football club".
"It’s no mean achievement to attract Denis and Paul to Wolves to add to the other big signings we made last season and credit to the board for backing us".
"Paul will add desire and drive to the team and he is a great addition to the squad."

Wolves Chief executive Jez Moxey has dismissed speculation that Wolves have received a bid for defender Ludo Pollet from Crystal Palace and made a bid for Spurs striker Les Ferdinand.
Pollet had been linked with a £500,000 move to Selhurst Park and Ferdinand a £500,000 move to Molineux.
Wolves boss Dave Jones has said Wolves are still working hard on bringing Paul Ince to Molineux on a free transfer, hopefully before the opening game on Saturday.
He Said: "We have just got one or two problems to iron out regarding Paul, but we are still in the hat and hopeful everything will go to plan this week."

Sir Bobby Robson has apologised for the tackle by Titus Bramble which saw Dean Sturridge needing several stitches and likely to miss out on the first game of the season.
Newcastle boss Robson later took £5.5m Bramble off following two more heavy tackles.
Sir Bobby said: "I was sorry Sturridge got injured because he's got a lot of pace and he's done very well for Wolves and he will be a big player for them this season."
"Bramble was a bit unlucky because he played the ball hard and went through and caught the lad."
"The crowd exception to that and every time he touched the ball he got booed. He had a trying afternoon and I took him off because he made another tackle which brought him a lecture from the referee."

The News of the World is reporting that Wolves defender Ludovic Pollet is going to have talks with Crystal Palace next week after a fee of £500,000 was agreed for the French man.
Pollet spent most of last season on the subs bench, but was very popular with Wolves fans when he joined in 1999.

I received this email but unfortunately don't have the time or ability to do it! If your interested in doing it please reply to the email at the end.

I need the help of a Wolves fan. I am an experienced journalist who has worked on fanzines, internet sites, newspapers and recently FourFourTwo magazine, but I am now making my first venture into writing a book. The book charts the history of the biggest football rivalries in England. One of the rivalries which the book details is the Wolves/W.B.A derby. Each of the derbies discussed tries to get the fan's perspective of the rivalry. So I need a fan to write a 400 word piece detailing what they think to be the most enjoyable victory over their rivals and why. This piece will be solely attributed to the fan in the book as their own words. Also as a separate piece I require a fan to send me a few pages summarising the history of the rivalry (on and off the field) for my own research benefit, the piece will not be printed directly in the book as thier own work, but I will make a "with help from..." note regarding the piece. Fanzines and fans from all over the country have contributed to their own rivalries, and I already have a W.B.A fan working on his piece, however I still have not got the help of a Wolves fan. If you can help me with this and would like to have a piece of writing published in the book as your own work or no of anyone who will then please reply to dan.lunt@ntlworld.com

Dean Sturridge's precautionary x-ray revealed nothing broken, but he needed eight sutures (small stitches) in the three inch gash on his leg.
The striker is now doubtful for Wolves opening game of the season at Bradford as it usually takes ten days to recover from stitches. Wolves boss Dave Jones is hoping he will make a quick recovery and be back after eight days.
The Wolves boss has also confirmed that Denis Irwin was taken off at half-time as a precaution because he complained of feeling stiff, he had played three games in one week.

6mins: Lua Lua opens the scoring for Newcastle.
29mins: Sturridge injured after a tackle by Bramble, he was stretchered off and replaced by Miller.
Half-Time: Wolves 0-1 Newcastle.
46mins: Wolves substitution, Connelly on for Irwin.
*Sturridge Update* On his way to hospital to have an x-ray and stitches on a badly gashed leg.
60mins: Wolves substitution, Cooper on for Rae.
67mins: Lua Lua doubles Newcastle's lead.
72mins: Wolves substitution, Ndah on for Blake.
76mins: Newcastle substitutions: Jenas on for Viana, Elliott on for Bramble and Marcelino on for Bernard.
84mins: Newcastle substitutions: Cort on for Lua Lua and Griffin on for Hughes.
Full-Time Wolves 0-2 Newcastle

Wolves: 0

Oakes, Irwin, Naylor, Ingimarsson, Lescott, Butler, Newton, Rae, Sturridge, Cameron, Blake.

Subs: Miller (29), Murray, Pollet, Camara, Cooper (60), Connelly (46), Proudlock, Ndah (72).

Cards: Yellow: None. Red: None.

Newcastle: 2

Harper, Hughes, Bernard, Solana, Dabizas, Bramble, Viana, Dyer, Shearer, Lua Lua, Speed.

Subs: Jenas (76), Given, Elliott (76), Griffin (84), Cauldwell, Marcelino (76), Ameobi, Acuna, Cort (84).

Cards: Yellow: None. Red: None.

Wolves have released the squad numbers for 2002/03, they are:
1 Michael Oakes
2 Sean Connelly
3 Lee Naylor
4 Alex Rae
5 Joleon Lescott
6 Paul Butler
7 Shaun Newton
8 Denis Irwin
9 Nathan Blake
10 Colin Cameron
11 Mark Kennedy
12 Adam Proudlock
13 Matt Murray
14 Ludo Pollet
15 Kevin Cooper
16 Kenny Miller
17 Mo Camara
18 George Ndah
19 Keith Andrews
20 Michael Branch
21 Ivar Ingimarsson
29 Dean Sturridge (he asked to keep last season's number)
31 Mark Clyde
32 John Melligan
33 Graham Ward
35 Kenny Coleman

Striker George Ndah scored a hat-trick as Wolves cruised to a comfortable 4-0 win at Doc Marten’s League side Worcester last night .
The first goal came after seven minutes a penalty, Mark Shail's back-pass failed to reach City keeper Danny McDonnell who clattered into Ndah as he went to intercept. Ndah took the spot-kick himself and sent the keeper the wrong way.
Ndah got his second midway through the first half from another failed back-pass, Holloway's pass didn't reach his keeperand Ndah was on the ball in a flash to net from a narrow angle.
Ndah completed his hat-trick in the 58th minute after taking a JJ Meligan pass and cutting inside and drilling a low shot into the corner of the net.
Wolves added another in the 71st minute, French trialist Frederic Brando passed to young striker Jimmi Lee Jones and he finished with style from just outside the box.

Worcester: McDonnell, Holloway, Carty, Heeley, Shail (Todd 45), Jackson (Shirley 73), Middleton, Snape, Owen, Webster, Edwards (Pinkney 54).
Unused subs: Wyatt, Burrows, Lyons, D. Jones, Henry.
Wolves: Murray, Connelly (Coleman 56), Camara (Talbot 61), Brando, Patino, Clyde, Branch, Melligan, Proudlock (Allan 66), Clingan (Walters 64), Ndah (Jones 61).
Unused subs: Solly, Flynn, Goburn, L. Clarke.

Wolves have announced the 20 man squad that is traveling to St George’s Lane for tonight’s friendly against Worcester City. It includes three trialists, Argentinean defender Christian Patino, Carlisle United striker Johnny Allan and French midfielder Frederic Brando.
The full line up is: Murray, Connelly, Camara, Brando, Pateni, Clyde, Branch, Melligan, Proudlock, Clingan, Ndah.
Subs: Coleman, Solly, Allan, Talbot, Jones, Walters, Flynn, Goburn, Leon Clarke.

Wolves might have Paul Ince signed in time for him to play against Newcastle on Saturday. The talks are continuing today and Chief executive Jez Moxey confirmed that negotiations are still taking place and that finalisation of a deal to sign Ince could be close.
Jez said on WOW: "Today is an important day and we will be speaking again. We need an answer quickly and if we do get him before the Newcastle game then great – we might be in a better position to do so by tomorrow".
"We are getting closer and we have made our position quite clear. It’s now up to them (Ince and his agent Steve Kutner)."
Dave Jones said: "I’m a lot more hopeful now about bringing the deal to a speedy conclusion after the last 24 hours. Hopefully we will get him in soon."
There is no new news about signing goalkeeper Russell Howarth and defender Marc Edworthy on a permanent basis.

Wolves won their friendly at Cardiff City last night.
Nathan Blake who was made captain for the night against his former club was replaced by Proudlock on 80 minutes, he then scored Wolves winner just 6 minutes from full-time.
Cameron passed to Proudlock and Gabbidon slipped as he attempted to clear and the young striker tucked the ball past Alexander for his third friendly goal of the pre-season warm up.

Cardiff: Alexander, Weston (Croft 78), Young (Prior 75), Gabbidon, Barker, Boland (Hamilton 80), Whalley (Legg 75), Maxwell (Earnshaw 67), Kavanagh, Campbell (Fortune-West 78), Thorne.
Unused subs: Collins, Margetson.

Wolves: Oakes, Irwin, Naylor, Ingimarsson, Lescott, Butler, Rae (Brando 72), Miller (Newton 67), Sturridge (Ndah 87), Cameron, Blake (Proudlock 80).
Unused subs: Connelly, Murray, Camara, Clyde.