'The Wolves' Site News Page

Wolves boss Dave Jones said he welcomed the forthcoming two-week break after seeing his injury-hit side pick up just four points from their opening six games.
"We have had to dig in deep and play players who are learning their trade," he said.
"When you have no competition in your football club sometimes when you want to change it you can't and we have not been able to. The break will be a big plus for us."
Jones lamented his side's defending for the first goal - Bent's 28th-minute header - and he had no complaints about the penalty, awarded for a foul on Kuqi by Joleon Lescott.

28mins: Goal, Bent gives Ipswich the lead, from a Magilton corner.
Half-Time: Ipswich 1-0 Wolves.
45mins: Wolves substitution, Cooper on for Cameron.
50mins: Goal, Tommy Miller scores from the penalty spot after Lescott fouled Kuqi.
54mins: GOAL, Olofinjana heads one back for Wolves, from Naylor's free-kick.
56mins: Yellow card, Ince.
68mins: Wolves substitution, Sturridge on for Clyde.
70mins: Ipswich substitution, Dinning on for Magilton.
72mins: Yellow card, Wilnis.
85mins: Wolves substitution, Andrews on for Naylor.
Full-Time: Ipswich 2-1 Wolves.

Ipswich: 2

Davis, Wilnis, De Vos, Diallo, Naylor, Magilton, Miller, Horlock, Bent, Kuqi, Westlake.

Subs: Price, Counago, Dinning (70), Bowditch, Barron.

Cards: Yellow: Wilnis. Red: None.

Wolves: 1

Jones, Naylor, Lescott, Craddock, Clyde, Ince, Olofinjana, Newton, Cameron, Miller, Clarke.

Subs: Oakes, Lowe, Cooper (45), Andrews (85), Sturridge (68).

Cards: Yellow: Ince. Red: None.

Attendance: 24,590

Ipswich: manager Joe Royle could again be without the services of Matt Richards at Portman Road.
The left-back is doubtful with the foot injury which has kept him out of the last three games.
Tony Dinning, recently recovered from a neck problem, should feature after coming on as a late second-half substitute in the weekend win at Rotherham.

Wolves: new signing Ki-Hyeon Seol will have to wait for his debut, the Ł1.2million South Korea striker is ineligible to play in the Portman Road clash with Ipswich but is expected to make his bow against Wigan next month.
Lee Naylor made his return from a back injury in the weekend draw against Ipswich, but Joachim Bjorkland is struggling with hamstring problems.
Dean Sturridge and Carl Cort, both of whom have shaken off hamstring injuries, are close to regaining full fitness.
Vio Ganea is recovering from cruciate knee ligament surgery while George Ndah is ruled out after minor surgery to drain fluid from his troublesome thigh muscle.

Dave Jones saw his winless start to the Championship season extended into a fifth league game.
"It was a sloppy start from us, sloppy and lazy," said the Wolves boss.
"There was poor communication while we defended the free-kick and then we did not pick up the second ball from which Scowcroft scored.
"After that it took us another 20 minutes to get into our stride but then I though we began taking the game to Leicester.
"We played some really good and exciting football in the second half and Kenny produced a good finish to get the equaliser.
"Then there were lots of blocks and a good save from the 'keeper which stopped us getting the winner.
"We just need that little bit of luck, but in the meantime we've been working hard and it's obvious we're getting stronger."

Wolves confirmed this afternoon that they are in talks with former Everton winger Ibrahima Bakayoko, who was watching this afternoon's game against Leicester.
The 27 year old from the Ivory Coast is a free agent after being released by Osasuna and Wolves will be giving him a one year contract.

4mins: Goal, Leicester take the lead through Scowfroft.
45mins: Yellow card, Tiatto.
Half-Time: Wolves 0-1 Leicester.
52mins: GOAL, Miller equalises for Wolves, Keown missed Jones long goal kick and Miller held off a challenge to slip the ball past the advancing Walker.
71mins: Leicester substitution, Gudjonsson on for Gemmill.
75mins: Yellow card, Gudjonsson.
75mins: Yellow card, Ince.
76mins: Leicester substitution, Blake on for Connolly.
78mins: Wolves substitution, Cooper on for Cameron.
83mins: Leicester substitution, Gillespie on for Tiatto.
87mins: Yellow card, Clarke.
Full-Time: Wolves 1-1 Leicester.

Wolves: 1

Jones, Clyde, Naylor, Olofinjana, Lescott, Craddock, Newton, Ince, Cameron, Miller, Clarke.

Subs: Oakes, Cooper (78), Andrews, Sturridge, Lowe.

Cards: Yellow: Ince, Clarke. Red: None.

Leicester: 1

Walker, Canero, Tiatto, Keown, Heath, Nalis, Dublin, Scowcroft, Stewart, Gemmill, Connolly.

Subs: Benjamin, Gudjonsson (71), Blake (76), Dabizas, Gillespie (83).

Cards: Yellow: Tiatto, Gudjonsson. Red: None.

Attendance: 27,550

South Korean international Ki-Hyeon Seol has signed a four year contract at Molineux. The 25 year old striker made the Ł1.2 million move to Wolves late last night. Seol will be introduced to the crowd at today's match with Leicester.

Midfielder Colin Cameron has also signed a new contract, he has agreed a one year extension to his original deal.

Wolves: are still short of players for the visit of Leicester, with boss Dave Jones continuing to select from a paper thin squad.
Defender Joleon Lescott should return after missing the Carling Cup victory at Rochdale, with Keith Lowe making way.
Seyi Olofinjana should also be back after having to settle for a place on the bench at Spotland, with Keith Andrews stepping down.
However, Vio Ganea, Mark Kennedy, George Ndah, Joachim Bjorklund, Carl Cort, Dean Sturridge, Matt Murray and Lee Naylor are all still ruled out.

Leicester: will be without midfielder Gareth Williams, who has been ruled out for a couple of weeks after breaking a bone in his toe.
The summer signing from Nottingham Forest joins long-term injury victims Matt Elliott and Lee Morris in the treatment room.
However, Keith Gillespie and James Scowcroft are included in Micky Adams' squad for the trip to Molineux after overcoming minor injuries.

Wolves have announced they are close to completing the signing of Korean international, Ki-Hyeon Seol.
He was at Molineux today to undergo a medical, which he has passed, and the club has successfully obtained a work permit for him this afternoon.
Once the deal is completed, the first game he is expected to be in contention for is against Wigan on Saturday 11th September.

Wolves have confirmed they are in talks with Anderlecht over the transfer of South Korean striker Seol Ki-hyeon.
Seol has a clause in his contract that allows him to speak with another club should they match Anderlecht's valuation and Wolves look to have matched that valuation, thought to be in the region of 2 million
The striker is expected at Molineux on Thursday for a medical then to sign a three-year contract with an option of extending it for another year.
The 25-year-old made headlines in the summer of 2002 when he scored South Korea's equaliser in their famous win over Italy during his country's co-hosting of the World Cup finals.

There was good news for Wolves injured striker Vio Ganea, he is recovering well after undergoing surgery to his cruicate ligament.
Physio Barry Holmes said on WOW: "It all went fine and Vio is now recovering at home.
"He has the help of an old friend who is the former Romanian team physio. He is staying with Vio and his family for a couple of weeks to help him through the initial recovery period.
"Then in a week or so Vio will return to Molineux to start the rehabilitation programme. But, he is in regular contact with the club and is eager to get the ball rolling with his rehab. He has some equipment at home and once he's given the all clear to start then he can be doing fitness work without putting pressure on the knee."

There wasn't such good news for George Ndah, he has suffered a setback in his fitness quest.
Ndah will undergo a minor procedure at hospital to drain fluid from his thigh muscle, then he's been told to rest his leg for two weeks but is not expected to need a rehabilitation period before going back into full training.

The draw for the 2nd round of the Carling Cup was made tonight. Wolves will be playing away against Championship side Burnley, who Wolves have already played against in the League and drew 1-1 at Burnley. The match is due to take place on Tuesday 21st September.

A hardworking Wolves reserves side lost when Man Utd got a late goal.
United's goal came in the 81st minute when they broke away from a Wolves corner, Poole beat two men on a run through the middle from halfway before lashing the ball into the net from 15-yards.

Wolves Reserves: Ikeme, Flynn, Rafferty, Clingan, Taylor, Townsend, Gobern, O'Connor, Mulligan (Musson 63), Cornes (Stewart 61), Butler (Gleeson 85).
Unused Subs: Hennessey, Little.
Man Utd Reserves: Heaton, Picken, Lawrence, Howard, McShane, Fox, Poole, D. Jones (N'Galula 45), Calliste, Timm (Collett 75), Djordjic.
Unused Subs: Lee, R. Jones, Neumayr.
Attendance: 872.

Boss Dave Jones insisted last nights win was not a turning point for his team and defended their start to the campaign. He said: "There is a long, long way to go in the season. There's a lot of things written and people saying things. It's crazy, it's absolutely crazy.
"What they should do is to shut up and let us get on with our job. We're down to the bare bones.
"Our launch pad started two weeks ago when the season kicked off. We should have beaten Preston at home, we should have beaten Leeds at home, we got a draw against Burnley.
"There is a long way to go and if you are going by that there must be nine managers in this division that are really struggling at the moment... West Ham, Sunderland, Leeds, just let the league settle down. So many rumours fly around, it's annoying, it really is annoying."

Ince's goal came at just the right time for Wolves, who had looked in genuine danger of suffering a cup upset for much of the opening period.
Jones admitted the 42nd-minute goal had helped but he was disappointed it took his side so long to get going.
He said: "It got us kick-started. We needed that because in the first-half we were relying on ability alone and they took the game to us, started like a house on fire and went into a deserved two-goal lead.
"It shook us up. We got the goal back and in the second-half, we sorted a few things out, started moving the ball and they found it very difficult to live with the pace and the movement.
"We should have done that from the start rather than wait 45 minutes. In the second-half we ground them down, tired them out and frustrated them. It's all hands to the pump at the moment."

4mins: Goal, Holt gives Rochdale the lead.
23mins: Clarke hit the post after a great run from Newton.
26mins: Goal, Tait makes it two, heading in from a cross.
42mins: GOAL, 'The Guvnor' pulls one back with a thumping drive from just outside the area.
Half-Time: Rochdale 2-1 Wolves.
53mins: GOAL, Clarke equalises, the keeper couldn't hold Coopers shot and Clarke pounced on the rebound.
60mins: GOAL, Miller gives Wolves the lead, dribbling through the defence then picked his spot.
64mins: Rochdale substitution, McCourt on for Probets.
66mins: Yellow card, Holt.
74mins: Rochdale substitution, McGivern on for Holt.
78mins: GOAL, Andrews makes and gets Wolves fourth with a slight deflection.
84mins: Wolves substitution, Olofinjana on for Ince.
Full-Time: Rochdale 2-4 Wolves.

Rochdale: 2

Edwards, Evans, Heald, Burgess, Gallimore, Cash, Clarke, Jones, Probets, Holt, Tait.

Subs: Gilks, Townson, McGivern (74), Goodall, McCourt (64).

Cards: Yellow: Holt. Red: None.

Wolves: 4

Oakes, Lowe, Edwards, Craddock, Clyde, Newton, Ince, Andrews, Cooper, Miller, Clarke.

Subs: Olofinjana (84), Lescott, Cameron, Jones, Mulligan.

Cards: Yellow: None. Red: None.

Attendance: 3,292

Chief executive Jez Moxey today slammed reports in some newspapers that suggested Dave Jones' job was under threat, insisting: "It's ridiculous."
They reported that the Wolves boss was on borrowed time after Wolves haven't won a game in their opening four Championship matches, and had captain Paul Ince lined up to take over.

Moxey said there was no question that Jones job was under threat. "It's ridiculous and that's all I'm prepared to say," said Moxey.
Jones also hit out at the reports, noting that Wolves are currently on a three- game unbeaten run.
"It's crazy what people are saying," said the Wolves boss. "I'm going to keep doing my job and deal with it.
"The only people that will take my job are the hierarchy at Wolves. No-one else.
"We are four games into the new season and we have not lost the last three."

Rochdale: midfielder Leo Bertos sits out the second game of a three-match ban, so Ashley Probets may deputise again.
Northern Ireland Under-21 international Pat McCourt may return after recovering from a thigh injury.

Wolves: are without nine players through injury including five forwards - Vio Ganea, Carl Cort, Dean Sturridge, George Ndah and Kevin Cooper. So youngster Gary Mulligan will be making his first senior appearance for the club partnering Leon Clarke up-front.
Meanwhile, Matt Murray, Joachim Bjorklund, Mark Kennedy and Lee Naylor are also all sidelined

Boss Dave Jones said: "Joleon wasn't in contention for this game but when we were hit by more problems he was happy to give it a go and he did well.
"We are struggling for bodies and what we had out there was what we have got.
"We are asking the kids to do men's jobs and while it will be great experience for them it is a difficult time for us.
"We are trying to bring players in and in the last week or so have been turned down by seven or eight strikers, mainly because they don't want to play in this division.
"I felt Mo Camara should have been sent off after he head butted Shaun and it is coming to something when you only get a yellow card for that and yet you get a red one for celebrating a goal.
"The referee was also wrong on the penalty; in fact he had two big decisions to make and he got both of them wrong."

2mins: Yellow card, Camara.
15mins: GOAL, Newton gives Wolves the lead.
24mins: Goal, Blake equalises for Burnley.
28mins: Yellow card, Miller.
Half-Time: Burnley 1-1 Wolves.
52mins: Yellow card, Clarke.
56mins: Yellow card, Cameron.
66mins: Yellow card, Grant.
82mins: Wolves substitution, Mulligan on for Miller.
Full-Time: Burnley 1-1 Wolves.

Burnley: 1

Coyne, Duff, McGreal, Sinclair, Camara, Grant, Moore, Chaplow, Hyde, Branch, Blake.

Subs: O'Neill, Pilkington, Roche, Townsend, Jensen.

Cards: Yellow: Camara, Grant. Red: None.

Wolves: 1

Jones, Edwards, Lescott, Craddock, Clyde, Newton, Olofinjana, Ince, Cameron, Miller, Clarke.

Subs: Andrews, Cooper, Mulligan (82), Lowe, Oakes.

Cards: Yellow: Miller, Clarke, Cameron. Red: None.

Attendance: 13,869.

Burnley: Many of the first team had a run out in midweek in Stan Ternent's testimonial against Manchester United, and Michael Duff and Micah Hyde were both on international duty.
Danny Coyne missed out on Wales' victory over Latvia, but is hoping to have shaken off a niggling injury to resume in goal ahead of Brian Jensen.
Otherwise Cotterill's threadbare squad has been granted a clean bill of health, and will be keen to pick up victory in front of the vociferous Turf Moor crowd.

Wolves: Dave Jones is not so lucky with injuries, and seven first team players are unlikely to feature.
Mark Kennedy, Joleon Lescott and Ioan Ganea are all long term absentees with knee problems, whilst Dean Sturridge, George Ndah, Carl Cort and Joachim Bjorklund are also likely to miss out.
However, Colin Cameron, Lee Naylor and Kevin Cooper could all feature after returning to full fitness.

Wolves bid to loan Trevor Sinclair has been rejected by Man City and Kevin Keegan has told him to fight for his City place.
Molineux boss Dave Jones is battling a major injury crisis and moved for the former West Ham midfielder after he was left out of City's team on the opening day of the season against Fulham.
But Keegan is not keen to allow any of his senior players go out on loan until he has strengthened his squad.

Duncan Ferguson has emerged as a new target as Chief executive Jez Moxey insists Wolves are doing all they can to recruit a striker before the weekend.
Wolves have failed in their efforts to reinforce their injury ravaged strike force and sources in the north-west insist the 32-year-old Scot's days at Goodison Park appear numbered.
But a deal may hinge first on England star Wayne Rooney's return to fitness and manager David Moyes bringing in a replacement before the closure of the transfer window in just under a fortnight.
With Ferguson earning around Ł37,000 a week with the Toffees, Wolves may insist on Everton contributing a significant portion of his wages.
Ferguson, whose career has been plagued by a succession of niggling injuries, played the final 19 minutes of Everton's 4-1 defeat by Arsenal at the weekend. He made 24 appearances last season, scoring nine goals.

Wolves have resolved the future of their longest serving player Lee Naylor, by awarding the defender a new contract. His current deal had been due to expire at the end of this season, so Wolves moved to ward off the threat of Naylor leaving for nothing by handing the 24-year-old a two-year extension which will keep him at Molineux until June 2007.

Boss Dave Jones is confident Colin Cameron and Lee Naylor will shake off their injury problems in time to face Burnley this weekend.
Cameron had to pull out of Scotland's squad for their friendly against Hungary because of an ankle injury he suffered in last weekend's draw with Leeds.
The midfield sustained a cut that became infected but boss Jones feels he will be fighting fit before Saturday.
Naylor, meanwhile, had to bow out of the action against Leeds after pulling a back muscle and there were fears he could be sidelined for a few weeks.
But Wolves say the defender has responded well to treatment and should be ready for selection at Burnley.

Striker Kenny Miller has admitted he considered leaving Molineux in order to keep his place in the Scotland squad for the World Cup qualifying campaign.
He scored only twice in the league, against Manchester United and Liverpool in the space of four days, and was unhappy at being played out of position for much of the season. So he handed in a transfer request in the summer.
But now he's Wolves only fit senior striker and has already matched scored twice in the opening three games of the season and said he was much happier with life so far this campaign.

Miller, who is currently away with Scotland for their friendly with Hungary at Hampden Park tomorrow said: I lost a bit of ground last season through injury and when I came back I found myself playing out of position.
So my form was not great and if youre not playing regular first-team football then youre going to find it hard to play in the national team.
I was not too happy with what happened and I had a talk with the club about maybe moving on.
But Im the only fit senior striker at the club right now so theres no chance of me going anywhere soon.
Ive had a good pre-season and Im playing and already scored a couple so Im reasonably happy.
The punters have been fine with me, Ive not had any stick so far.
A lot of them realise that last season was a nightmare for me and it was a hard situation.
I want to play up front and that was the reason I considered leaving, it was nothing against the manager or the club.
Two seasons ago I was high on confidence and scoring a lot of goals and that got me into the national team. I'd never started a game for Scotland before that.

Goalkeeper Matt Murray and striker Carl Cort both took part in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Port Vale, which ended 1-1.
Murray is recovering from an operation to repair a broken foot and he completed the full 90 minutes.
Cort who has been sidelined by hamstring trouble, played the first 45 minutes but was replaced at half-time as a precation.
Two other Wolves players who are recovering from injuries, were not risked by Wolves, Joleon Lescott (knee) and George Ndah (thigh).
Wolves also included Austrian international midfielder Gilbert Prilasnig in the friendly, he is having a trial at Molineux.

Wolves boss Dave Jones, who is still searching for his opening victory of the season, was left to reflect on what might have been and a week of frustration at Molineux where seven first-team players remain on the casualty list.
Lee Naylor could be the eighth after a back spasm forced his substitution late in the game.

"I think I must have run over a black cat without realising it, I'll have to go home and check under my car," said Jones.
"Now 'Nails' has got a back problem and he'll go for tests on that but what with the week we've had at this football club, I have to say my players went out there against Leeds and gave everything they'd got.
"We just needed that little break and I thought we'd got it with the penalty award but it didn't go in.
"Having said that, I thought we'd made enough chances to have won the game anyway." from sportinglife.com

18mins: Leeds substitution, Walton on for Radebe (injured).
25mins: Yellow card, Duberry.
Half-Time: Wolves 0-0 Leeds.
68mins: Leeds substitution, Joachim on for Ricketts (injured).
81mins: Wolves substitution, Andrews on for Naylor.
85mins: Penalty to Wolves, Duberry fouled Miller in the area.
86mins: Red card, Duberry, second bookable offence.
87mins: Sullivan saved Millers penalty.
89mins: Leeds substitution, Guppy on for Richardson.
89mins: Wolves substitution, Cooper on for Cameron.
Full-Time: Wolves 0-0 Leeds.

Wolves: 0

Jones, Clyde, Naylor, Olofinjana, Craddock, Newton, Ince, Cameron, Edwards, Miller, Clarke.

Subs: Oakes, Cooper (89), Andrews (81), Mulligan, Lowe.

Cards: Yellow: None. Red: None.

Leeds: 0

Sullivan, Kelly, Crainey, Radebe, Butler, Wright, Ricketts, Pugh, Richardson, Duberry, Deane.

Subs: Carson, Walton (18), Guppy (89), Kilgallon, Joachim (68).

Cards: Yellow: Duberry. Red: Duberry.

Attendance: 28,397

A collection is going be conducted around Molineux before kick-off in memory Stephen Smith, the Wolves fan who was killed while out in Portugal during Euro 2004.
An army of 60 of Stephen's friends and family will be shaking their buckets around the stadium.
All monies raised will be donated to the neo-natal unit at New Cross Hospital. With the help of Wolves fans, the family are hoping to raise enough money to fund an incubator in Stephen's name.

Wolves: continue to be beset by injury problems, with Mark Kennedy and Joachim Bjorklund the latest players to be ruled out.
Kennedy has medial ligament damage and will be out for at least five weeks, while Bjorklund suffered a hamstring injury against Preston and will be missing for around a month.
Colin Cameron will replace Kennedy, with Kevin Cooper taking his place on the bench assuming he recovers from a slight ankle injury, while Lee Naylor will come in for Bjorklund with Mark Clyde switching to centre half.
Joleon Lescott is almost ready to return after a knee injury along with Carl Cort, but they will not be pressed into action at the weekend.

Leeds: had hoped to sign West Brom captain Sean Gregan in time for him to make his debut at Molineux but have failed to agree a fee with Albion.
That means Kevin Blackwell is likely to name an unchanged side from the midweek defeat to Gillingham.

Three Wolves players have been called up for international friendlies on Wednesday 18th August. Colin Cameron and Kenny Miller are in the Scottish squad to play Hungary at Hampden Park also Mark Clyde could get his first senior cap for Northern Ireland against Switzerland in Zurich.

Wolves winger Mark Kennedy is to see a consultant tomorrow to find out the severity of the knee injury he sustained after just ten minutes of last night's 2-2 draw with Preston. Initial indications show that he has suffered a medial ligament strain.
Physio Barry Holmes said on WOW: "Mark has received initial treatment and it appears that he's strained the medial ligament in his knee.
"We will have the injury confirmed by scans this afternoon and Mark will then see a consultant in Manchester tomorrow. It is then that we will know how long he is likely to be out for, but in our experience, such an injury usually takes four to six weeks."

Under-pressure Wolves struck twice in the last 15 minutes to salvage a point against 10-man Preston, and earn a pat on the back from Dave Jones.
The Molineux boss was livid at Sunday's tame defeat at Stoke and must have feared more of the same as his injury-hit side caved in twice in the opening quarter of an hour.
First Chris Lucketti stabbed in Eddie Lewis' cross, then Graham Alexander's right-wing corner was swept home clinically by David Healy.
The angry home sections of the 26,000-plus crowd sang "where's the money gone?" at the club's board but the 37th-minute dismissal of Preston midfielder Dickson Etuhu changed the game.

"If people panic and boo players, it isn't going to help," Jones said.
"We're down to the bare bones and having to dig deep.
"Preston got out of jail a bit at the end because we were the only side who were going to win.
"Their 'keeper made some world-class saves. Some of my players were out on their feet at the end but so were Preston's. It was good entertainment.
"Yes, the sending-off was a factor but that's not my fault. Thankfully, we took advantage because not all teams do against 10 men."
from sportinglife.com

4mins: Goal, Lucketti puts Preston ahead after the Wolves defence failed to clear a corner.
14mins: Wolves substitution, Cameron on for Kennedy (Injured).
15mins: Goal, Healy gets Preston's second from another corner.
27mins: Yellow card, Alexander.
37mins: Red card, Etuhu.
38mins: Yellow card, Miller.
Half-Time: Wolves 0-2 Preston.
45mins: Wolves substitution, Naylor on for Bjorklund.
62mins: Wolves substitution, Cooper on for Edwards.
65mins: Preston substitution, McCormack on for Davis.
76mins: GOAL, Clarke pulls one back for Wolves, Coopers corner was driven in low by Cameron and Clarke stabbed it into the net from in the six-yard box.
79mins: GOAL, Miller levels the score, Newton ran deep into the Preston half and put the ball perfectly into Miller's path who smashed it into the roof of the net.
89mins: Preston substution, Smith on for Healy.
Full-Time: Wolves 2-2 Preston.

Wolves: 2

Jones, Clyde, Olofinjana, Craddock, Newton, Ince, Kennedy, Edwards, Miller, Bjorklund, Clarke.

Subs: Oakes, Naylor (45), Cameron (14), Cooper (62), Andrews.

Cards: Yellow: Miller. Red: None.

Preston: 2

Lonergan, Alexander, O'Neil, Etuhu, Davis, Lucketti, Skora, Lewis, Healy, Cresswell, Mawene.

Subs: Smith (89), Ward, Daley, McCormack (65), Brown.

Cards: Yellow: Alexander. Red: Etuhu.

Attendance: 26,115

Wolves captain Paul Ince has been fined Ł5000 and warned to his future conduct at a disciplinary hearing.
He was charged with failing to act in the best interests of the game and bringing the game into disrepute (breach of FA Rule E1) for his comments following Wolves last match of the season against Spurs at Molineux on 15th May.
Ince was sent off in the match for two yellow cards. He will now await the official notification from the FA before deciding whether to appeal against the fine.

Wolves: The return of skipper Paul Ince from suspension is a welcome boost and he looks likely to partner new signing Seyi Olofinjana in midfield after he made an impressive debut at The Britannia Stadium.
But Jones' striking resources have been further stretched by an injury to Dean Sturridge, who suffered a hamstring strain in the Potteries and joins Carl Cort, Vio Ganea and George Ndah on the sidelines. Teenager Leon Clarke, who made his debut in the second half on Sunday, will make his first start at Molineux.
Jones also revealed that Kevin Cooper, Joachim Bjorklund and Colin Cameron are all carrying knocks, but they are expected to play.

Preston: striker Ricardo Fuller has flown to the United States for an assessment on the condition of his long-standing knee injury.
Summer signing Andy Smith could make his debut at Molineux, unless boss Craig Brown instead opts to shore up his midfield with Alan McCormack.
Scotland international full back Graham Alexander could return after injury.

Wolves reserves drew 0-0 yesterday with West Brom reserves, the good news coming from the match was Joleon Lescott played the whole 90 minutes without any problems.

West Brom Reserves: Kuszczak, Midworth, Clement, J. O'Connor, Berthe, Wallwork, Chambers, Gregan (R. Davies 84), Samba (Nicholson 78), Sakiri, Dyer.
Unused Subs: Miotto, Holmes, Elvins.
Wolves Reserves: Ikeme, Lowe, Flynn, Clingan, Townsend, Lescott, M. Davies, K. O'Connor, Mulligan, Stewart (Musson 75), Rafferty (Riley 45).
Unused Subs: Little, Hennessey, Fitzpatrick.
Attendance: 453.

Wolves striker Vio Ganea faces up to six months on the sidelines, he sustained a knee injury in a friendly match in Norway against Lyn.
Scans have shown that Ganea has torn knee ligaments and will need to undergo surgery to clear up the problem.
Wolves boss Dave Jones admitted it was a major blow to lose the talented forward.

Jones said on WOW: "It's a blow to all of us. Vio is very disappointed but he's a strong character with a very good work ethic who will want to be back as soon as possible.
"However, we have to accept that he is going to miss a big part of the season. It's a pity because when it happened it looked an innocuous challenge. He just twisted his knee awkwardly.
"These things happen in football. It's a big disappointment but we've just got to get on with it."

Dave Jones admitted the 2-1 defeat at Stoke was a wake-up call for Wolves if they expect to make an immediate return to the Premiership.
The Wolves boss demanded more commitment and desire from his players after second-half goals from Darel Russell and Clive Clarke gave Stoke the points.

"No doubt all the gloom merchants will now have a go, but for me the thing was that we didn't do enough to win a game of football," Jones said.
"Too many players on the day didn't do enough which is very unusual for us.
"We looked very toothless and didn't show commitment or desire to win the game so it was a big wake-up call for us. It was a shock to the system because it's not going to be easy and maybe one or two thought it might be.
"Maybe it's a kick up the backside that they needed. We're not in the Premiership and it's a hard division to get out of."

The former Southampton manager said he would not take any action against Shaun Newton or Kenny Miller, who had a scuffle in the first half after a corner.
"They should watch the television tonight and just see how stupid and ridiculous the pair of them looked," he added.
"Sometimes we need to fight the opposition rather than ourselves.
"It was petulance. What were they arguing over? Because one has told the other they didn't pick their man up in the box. The job is hard enough."

Jones has now vowed to drop any players that under-performed once he gets players back from suspension and injury.
"Competition for places will be very high when we get players back and the people in the shirt did not do enough," he added.
"So when they knock on my door and ask why they're not playing I'll tell them to get a tape of today's game and have a look."

Russell hit a powerful drive to take the lead for the Potters, but Jones thought his defenders should have dealt with the danger.
"It would be nice to make a challenge. The ball is in the air for five or six seconds which is a long time but we let it bounce and then we had to start fighting and scrapping for it," Jones added.
"We knew what Stoke would do. They were going to play to their strengths which are to put balls in the box with two big lads chasing it down. They showed a willingness to do that and maybe we didn't do enough of the grubby part of the game to go out and win it."

Clarke scored Stoke's second after Akinbiyi was pulled down in the area but Jones thought the decision was harsh.
"He's given it but I thought they were pulling each other. But that wasn't why we lost the game," he added.
"Too many people off the pace, too many people didn't pass to a gold shirt or make tackles or chase.
"It's hard out there but you've got to show desire and that wasn't there for us.

19mins: Sturridge off for a minute because of a problem with his contact lens!
26mins: Yellow card, Taggart.
Half-Time: Stoke 0-0 Wolves.
45mins: Wolves substitution, Clarke on for Sturridge (injured).
55mins: Goal, Russell puts Stoke ahead with an unstoppable shot.
63mins: Wolves substitution, Edwards on for Bjorklund (injured).
69mins: Penalty to Stoke, Clyde fouled Akinbiyi.
70mins: Goal, Clarke scores from the spot.
75mins: Wolves substitution, Cooper on for Naylor.
79mins: Stoke substitution, Henry on for Neal.
81mins: Yellow card, Noel-Williams.
84mins: Yellow card, Clarke.
86mins: Penalty to Wolves, Noel-Williams handled in the area.
87mins: GOAL, Miller scores from the spot.
90mins: Stoke substitution, Asaba on for Noel-Williams.
92mins: Stoke substitution, Greenacre on for Akinbiyi.
Full-Time: Stoke 2-1 Wolves.

Stoke: 2

De Goey, Halls, Clarke, Thomas, Taggart, Neal, Hall, Brammer, Russell, Akinbiyi, Noel-Williams.

Subs: Simonsen, Hill, Asaba (90), Greenacre (92), Henry (79).

Cards: Yellow: Taggart, Noel-Williams. Red: None.

Wolves: 1

Jones, Clyde, Naylor, Craddock, Bjorklund, Newton, Kennedy, Olofinjana, Cameron, Miller, Sturridge.

Subs: Oakes, Edwards (63), Cooper (75), Andrews, Clarke (46).

Cards: Yellow: Clarke. Red: None.

Attendance: 17,066

Wolves: manager Dave Jones has a striker crisis with George Ndah (thigh), Vio Ganea (cruciate ligament) and Carl Cort (hamstring) all ruled out of their opening game through injury.
Defender Joleon Lescott is continuing to recover from a knee injury and Paul Ince is suspended for Wolves.

The Molineux outfit were far from disgraced in The Premiership last season, and though they failed to win any games away from home, during that successful 2002/03 campaign they won 11 times on the road. Three of those victories came via a 2-0 winning margin, and that includes their last trip to The Potters, so it could be worth looking at the 9/1 next to a Wolves 2-0 win.

Stoke: John Eustace is Stoke's only absentee after breaking down during his rehabilitation from a groin problem. Boss Pulis has new signings Dave Brammer and goalkeeper Steve Simonsen in contention for debuts.
Ex-Wolves striker Ade Akinbiyi will be playing against his former team-mates.

Wolves have announced they have completed signing of Swedish international Joachim Bjorklund this afternoon. The central defender has signed a on a one-year contract at Molineux. He passed his medical and trained with the Wolves squad this morning.

Now boss Dave Jones is hot on the heels of signing a loan striker, ready for Wolves opening fixture on Sunday.
George Ndah is again sidelined by injury, Vio Ganea has a damaged knee and Carl Cort has not figured in Wolves pre-season programme because of a hamstring problem.
That leaves Jones with only Kenny Miller and Dean Sturridge to lead his attack and he has made the capture of a new striker a priority.
He is currently in talks with a top-flight club and the agent of a mystery player, and hoping the man will be Molineux-bound before the weekend.

Wolves goalkeeper Paul Jones and defender Rob Edwards have been named in a 26 man Welsh squad.
The match is a friendly with Latvia at the Skonto Stadium in Riga on Wednesday, 18th August.

Central defender Joachim Bjorklund arrived at Molineux for a medical today with a view to signing a one-year deal. Wolves boss Dave Jones is hoping to sign the former Sunderland defender before the start of the Championship season.
Wolves are short of players at the heart of their defence, although Joleon Lescott has now recovered from the knee injuries which sidelined him for the whole of last season's Premiership campaign, Jones was anxious to bring in an additional experienced defender.

Wolves won their last pre-season friendly 4-1 with a young team against Worcester City.
Clarke gave Wolves the lead in the 29th minute, Gary Mulligan appealed for a penalty for handball when his cross struck Colin Hoyle. The ref didn't give it and Mulligan regained possession and drove a low cross into the box to Clarke who turned the ball over the line from a couple of yards out.
In the 43rd minute Clingan increased Wolves lead with a fine goal. The move began deep in Wolves half when Daniel Jones did well to keep his feet before sending a slide rule pass into the path of Mulligan. The striker held off his marker before hitting a low shot that McDonnell did well to parry. But, unfortunately for the keeper, the ball ran straight to Clingan who smashed an unstoppable shot into the net from the edge of the 18-yard line.
Mulligan got Wolves third in the 51st minute, he took a pass from Colin Cameron and rounded the keeper to score.
Then a minute later Clarke slipped a short pass to Cameron who buried a low shot past the advancing McDonnell.
Worcester were awarded a 65th minute penalty after Michael Townsend had shoved Kelly in the Wolves area. Jai Stanley put plenty of power into the spot kick but his effort smashed against the inside of the post and bounced clear.
But in the last minute, Webster grabbed a consolation for City with a shot that took a deflection off Townsend as it flew past Ikeme.

Worcester: McDonnell, Warner, Hines, Hoyle, Heeley, Snape (McDonald 57), Colley, Stanley, Kelly, Moore (Webster 45), Lyons.
Unused Subs: A. Davies, Wooley, Khan.
Wolves: Murray (Ikeme 45), Flynn, Rafferty, Clingan, Lowe, Townsend, Cornes, Mulligan, Clarke, Cameron (O'Connor 63), Jones.
Unused Subs: Riley, M. Davies, Little, Stewart.
Attendance: 504.

Injury plagued striker George Ndah will miss Wolves opening game at Stoke on Sunday because of an injury he picked up on the club's pre-season tour.
Physio Barry Holmes explained on WOW: "George picked up a knock in Norway which was investigated and scanned when he returned.
"The scan didn't show anything untoward but he was still complaining about pain in the leg when he trained and played.
"So we sent him away for further scans yesterday and they revealed that he has a slight tear in a thigh muscle which will rule him out of Sunday's game at Stoke.
"But he's having intensive treatment and hopefully he will be back sooner rather than later."

Wolves are consulting lawyers to see whether they can take Henri Camara's agent Willie McKay to court.
They have complained the Monte Carlo-based McKay offered the striker to a string of Premiership clubs, while he was still under contact to Wolves.
And they are hoping they can bring McKay to book, not only for their own satisfaction but for the good of football.
Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey admits they are bitterly disappointed with the way the Camara move has been handled over the past few weeks.
The 27-year-old striker refused to report back for pre-season training with Wolves and he then went on strike before Celtic came to pay Ł1.5m to secure his services on loan for the coming season.
"We are certainly considering a number of options," stressed Moxey. "We have decided to try and make a point for the good of the game."

Scotland and Wolves midfielder Colin Cameron has rejected a 12-month extension to his contract at Molineux which expires next summer as he seeks a two-year deal
He also blasted Celtic new-boy Henri Camara for running away from Molineux, Cameron insists the rest of the Wolves squad will not follow the petulant trend set by Camara.

He said: "I am not going to let the contract affect me. I am just going to keep my head down and work towards getting Wolves back up. That's what we all want. Not being in the Premiership is a blow but we're not all going to start demanding transfers and leaving, like Henri. We're going to fight and I think that's what he should have done.
"We'll just get on with the job in hand and put in the graft and the hard work because we want automatic promotion rather than going through the play-offs which are a bit of a lottery.
"We want to win the league or come second. I think we have got the quality in the first team to do at the first attempt if everyone is fit."