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30th September 2004

Defender Signs On Loan

22-year-old defender Mikkel Bischoff has signed a one-month loan with Wolves from Man City, he arrived at Molineux this morning to begin training with his new team mates.
He joined Man City from AB Copenhagen two years ago for £750,000, and played in their UEFA Cup qualifier last season but injury forced him to lose his place in the side.
He played for Man City against Wolves in the pre-season friendly in July and also played in City's reserve victory over Wolves last week.
Boss Dave Jones said on WOW: "He has been a Danish under 21 international and is a highly regarded defender. At the time of him joining City a lot of Premiership clubs were after him and we also showed an interest but Kevin beat everyone to him.
"He is a good, strong athlete and we have brought him in as cover for our defense. There is obviously an opportunity there for him now with the problems we have been having with that position in particular."

Reserves Win

Wolves reserves beet Leeds reserves 3-1 at Wakefield and Emley's Atlantic Solutions Stadium yesterday.
Clarke gave Wolves the lead after 13 minutes, Gobern's corner was nodded on by Mulligan to Clarke who thumped an unstoppable volley past home keeper Scott Carson from six-yards out.
Davies got Wolves second in the 25th minute, a fine individual goal. He picked the ball up inside his own half and left defenders in his wake as he sprinted half the length of the field before burying a low shot into the corner of the net from the edge of the area.
Leeds pulled a goal back in the 55th minute through Lennon who turned and hit a low shot past Murray from just inside the area.
Wolves third came in the 70th minute, Gobern was fouled by Walton in the box for an obvious penalty. He took the kick himself and although Carson made a fine save the keeper couldn't hold on to the ball and Gobern followed up to convert from close range.

Leeds Reserves: Carson, Edwards, McDaid, Winter, Walter, Kilgallon, Rothery, Spring, Lennon, Ricketts (C. Jones), Singh (Bowler 10).
Unused Subs: Leister, Coyles, Constable.</P>
Yellow Cards: Ricketts, Walton.
Wolves Reserves: Murray, Flynn, Rafferty, O'Connor, Bjorklund, Townsend, Gobern, Davies, Clarke (Musson 82), Mulligan, D. Jones (France 72).
Unused Subs: Cornes, Ikeme, Riley.
Yellow Card: Gobern.
Attendance: 294.


28th September 2004

More Bad News For Ndah

George Ndah's endless bad luck with injury looks set to continue, it was hoped that the popular striker would be ready for a return to action in the near future but, after having fluid drained from his thigh earlier in the month, the condition returned when he resumed training last week.
He is to undergo further tests to investigate the underlying cause of the ongoing problem.
Ndah said on WOW: "It wasn't good news. I started training last Monday and it was going quite well. I was basically doing some running but then, by Friday, it didn't feel too good.
"I took the weekend off to rest it and then came back to it on Monday but it still didn't feel right so I went to see the specialist and he told me that there's more fluid on my thigh.
"That should have been it when I had the fluid drained last month so we've now got to find out why it's come back.
"The amount of injuries I've had now has been unbelievable but I've just got to get on with it.
"Don't get me wrong, I've had times when I've been really low and this has been the hardest test for me since I've been at Wolves but I've got no choice. I have to get my head down and get on with trying to get myself right."


27th September 2004

Injury Update

Mark Clyde's nose wasn't broken after he was on the wrong end of Alan Lee's elbow during Saturday's game with Cardiff at Molineux.
He was substituted and had a badly swollen top lip, a loose front tooth and, even though it wasn't broken, a very sore nose.
He said on WOW: "I don't understand how it could only yellow card offence. I was caught by an elbow and it's either thought to be unintentional or it's a sending off offence.
"He (Lee) knew I was there because he glanced round at me just before the ball came to us. I felt it was deliberate at the time and I've since seen the video and there was nothing on it to make me change my mind.
"I felt dazed and confused but wanted to carry on. The main problem was that I was bleeding not only from my mouth, but from the nose as well which meant I couldn't breathe properly.
"In my opinion it was a horrible challenge and, to be honest, I don't think the referee was correct with his decision to only book him."

More bad news for Wolves defence as Joleon Lescott might not be fit for Saturday's match with West Ham.
He missed this weekend's visit of Cardiff  after struggling with a knee problem since the Carling Cup match with Burnley a week ago.
Boss Dave Jones said on WOW: "Jo was nowhere near playing, the club's medical team had made the decision that he was not ready to play 24 hours before the match.
"Jo has torn a muscle behind the knee, which I am told is nothing to do with the operation, but it is in the same area so maybe it's come about because the muscle is weak after not being used for over a year.
"He's just getting some rest and treatment this week before we look at him again to see if there's enough improvement to return to training."


26th September 2004

Match Reaction

Fuming Wolves boss Jones said after the match: "We scored two at home against Preston and didn't win, then three at home to Wigan and only drew.
"Now we've lost here despite scoring twice again.
"As a defensive unit, we were very poor and we're conceding too many of the same sort of goals.
"I never felt comfortable with our defending. The players are either not listening or they can't do what we ask of them. I have to ask if they can't do it or whether we have to bring in someone who can.
"We've just had two away league wins, so confidence shouldn't have been a problem but we have thrown away all that good work.
"The crowd will get edgy and have a go but you have to be big enough to rise above that."


25th September 2004

Wolves 2-3 Cardiff

11mins: Goal, Parry puts Cardiff ahead, the ball taking a deflection on the way in.
12mins:
GOAL, Cort hits straight back to level the score.
19mins:
Yellow card, Naylor.
27mins:
Yellow card, Lee.
31mins:
Wolves substitution, Bjorklund on for Clyde (injured).
42mins:
Yellow card, Kavanagh.
Half-Time: Wolves 1-1 Cardiff.
48mins:
Goal, Thorne puts Cardiff back ahead.
59mins:
Goal, Kavanagh gets Cardiff's third.
64mins:
Wolves substitution, Cameron on for Lowe.
79mins:
Cardiff substitution, O'Neil on for McAnuff.
85mins:
GOAL, Ince pulls one back from Seol's corner.
86mins:
Cardiff substitution, Bullock on for Lee.
87mins:
Yellow card, Williams.
89mins:
Yellow card, Craddock.
Full-Time: Wolves 1-1 Cardiff.

Wolves: 2
Jones, Clyde, Naylor, Olofinjana, Craddock, Newton, Ince, Miller, Seol, Cort, Lowe.
Subs: Oakes, Cameron (64), Bjorklund (31), Andrews, Clarke.
Cards: Yellow: Naylor, Craddock. Red: None.
Cardiff: 3
Warner, Gabbidon, Kavanagh, Thorne, Bowland, Lee, Barker, Parry, Vidmar, Williams, McAnuff.
Subs: Alexander, Robinson, Collins, Bullock (8), O'Neil (79).
Cards: Yellow: Lee, Kavanagh, Williams. Red: None.
Attendance: 27,896
 
Wolves Match Stats Cardiff
7
Shots On Target
6
2
Shots Off Target
3
8
Fouls (Conceded)
9
5
Corners
6
2
Yellow Cards
3
0
Red Cards
0

24th September 2004

Team News

Wolves: boss Dave Jones injury problems continue to mount, he could be without central defenders Joleon Lescott and Joachim Bjorklund for the visit of Cardiff.
Lescott has a calf problem while Bjorklund, who played for 50 minutes at Burnley on Tuesday, was sent home from training with a virus on Thursday.
Kenny Miller and Colin Cameron have both resumed training after injury and should play, but George Ndah, Mark Kennedy and Dean Sturridge are all out.

Cardiff: have moved to bolster their squad following their dismal start to the season, and Darren Williams and Gary O'Neil will make their debuts at Molineux.
Defender Williams and midfielder O'Neil have joined City on loan from Sunderland and Portsmouth respectively and will go straight into Lennie Lawrence's team.

New Penalty Takers

Shaun Newton or Lee Naylor will now be taking penalties when Wolves are awarded their seventh spot-kick of the season.
So far this season (not including the penalty shoot-out against Burnley) is scored two and four have been saved. It's a problem the squad have been addressing on the training field this week.
Dave Jones said on WOW: "Lee and Shaun are both up for taking penalties but whoever takes it has got to put what has happened before to the back of their minds.
"There will be a buzz around the ground when we get our next penalty but they have just got to pick their spot and not change it. Whoever steps up to the plate has got to have a clear mind.
"The pleasing thing is when we asked the lads yesterday if we got a penalty who would want to take it, seven or eight hands went up."


23rd September 2004

Reserves Lose

Wolves reserves lost 1-0 to Manchester City's reserves at Molineux yesterday, a string of first-half saves from Matt Murray helped restrict the visitors winning margin.
The only goal of the game came after just four minutes, Christian Negouai nodded down Lee Croft's centre to Bermingham who couldn't miss from around two-yards out.

Wolves Reserves: Murray, Flynn, Rafferty, Clingan, Riley, Townsend, Gobern, O'Connor, Musson, Cornes (France 28), Davies.
Unused Subs: Taylor, Ikeme, Fitzpatrick, Little.
Yellow Cards: Clingan (74 - foul), O'Connor (85 - foul).
Man City Reserves: Ellegaard, Onuoha, Collins, D'Laryea, McCarthy, Bischoff, Croft (Bennett 89), Negouai, Bermingham (Murphy 82), Ireland, Laird.
Unused Subs: Warrender, Schmeichel, Matthews.
Attendance: 315.


22nd September 2004

Match Reaction

Wolves boss Dave Jones admitted he was struggling to understand how his side are no longer in the Carling Cup.
That Burnley go into the hat for the third-round draw barely begins to tell the story of a fascinating evening at Turf Moor, which ultimately ended on a happy note for the home fans.
Wolves missed four penalties - two in normal time and two in the shoot-out, the game having finished 1-1 after extra time.
Goalkeeper Brian Jensen was the hero for Burnley, saving from Carl Cort and Keith Andrews in the space of five minutes late on, and denying Seyi Olofinjana to seal a memorable triumph.
Cort had seen a second attempt hit the post in the shoot-out, while Burnley scored all four of their penalties. Robbie Blake's equaliser after Ki-Hyeon Seol had put Wolves ahead was all but forgotten amid the spot-kick drama.

"You can't miss two penalties," said Jones. "It's bad enough to miss one but to miss two...
"We were probably our worst enemies because you have got to put your chances away. When you get the opportunities to finish sides off you have to take them.
"I don't think Oakey (goalkeeper Michael Oakes) has had a save to make in the whole game.
"When you miss the first one you think, 'It's not going to be our night', and it wasn't.
"We practice them in training. They put them down and they put them away, so I don't know why we are missing them in games.
"Maybe they are thinking about it too much. You have just got to put the ball down, pick your spot and put it away.
"It's frustrating but what can you do about it?"

It is fast becoming a common scenario for Jones, who has seen his side miss four penalties this season in normal time. They have scored just three of the last 10 going back to last term.

"The penalties we have missed has cost us games," he added. "You have to count them as clear-cut chances and you can't afford to miss them. You can't keep doing that.
"But there were plenty of other opportunities to kill the game off. Our final ball in good areas and our final shot was not there. We could not hit a barn door tonight." from sportinglife.com


21st September 2004

Burnley (4) 1-1 (2) Wolves

20mins: Yellow card, Camara.
27mins:
Wolves substitution, Clarke on for Cameron (injured).
28mins:
Burnley substitution, Sinclair on for McGreal (injured).
45mins:
GOAL, Seol gets his first goal for Wolves.
Half-Time:
Burnley 0-1 Wolves.

50mins:
Goal, Blake equalises.
59mins:
Wolves substitution, Lowe on for Bjorklund.
67mins:
Yellow card, Clyde.
75mins:
Penalty Hyde fouled Olofinjana.
75mins:
Yellow card, Hyde.
76mins:
Jensen saves Cort's penalty.
79mins:
Penalty Chaplow fouled Naylor.
81mins:
Jensen saves another penalty this time from Andrews.
Full-Time:
Burnley 1-1 Wolves. Match goes to extra time.
105mins: Newton hit the post then Clarke hit the bar.
Half-Time of Extra Time:
Burnley 1-1 Wolves.
Full-Time of Extra Time: Burnley 1-1 Wolves. Match goes to penalties.
Penalties: Burnley 4-2 Wolves.
Burnley:
Moore scored, Chaplow scored Blake scored, Sinclair scored.
Wolves: Cort missed, Andrews scored, Naylor scored, Olifinjana saved.
Final score: Burnley (1) 4-2 (1) Wolves.

Burnley: 1 (4)
Jensen, Duff, McGreal, Branch, Camara, Moore, Chaplow, Grant, Hyde, Valois, Blake.
Subs: Coyne, Sinclair (28), O'Neill, Pilkington, Scott.
Cards: Yellow: Camara, Hyde. Red: None.
Wolves: 1 (2)
Oakes, Clyde, Bjorklund, Craddock, Naylor, Newton, Andrews, Olofinjana, Cameron, Seol, Cort.
Subs: Murray, Clingan, Clarke (27), Gobern, Lowe (59).
Cards: Yellow: Clyde. Red: None.
Attendance: 5,013
 
Burnley Match Stats Wolves
6
Shots On Target
8
9
Shots Off Target
5
13
Fouls (Conceded)
22
8
Corners
8
2
Yellow Cards
1
0
Red Cards
0

Ikeme New deal

Wolves young goalkeeper Carl Ikeme has revealed his delight at signing a four-year deal at Molineux.
The 18 year old is a product of the club's academy, and has not yet played at senior level under Dave Jones but has played for the club's reserves.
He reserved special praise for coaches Chris Evans and Bobby Mimms for all their help in assisting him to develop.

Ikeme said on WOW: "I was delighted to be offered the new contract and couldn't wait to sign it.
"I'm very grateful to Chris Evans and the academy staff who saw me through my early years here, and Bobby Mimms for all the help he has given me.
"Bobby's knowledge of the game is huge and I've learned a lot working with him."
 


20th September 2004

Team News

Burnley: Micah Hyde is set to return after serving a three-match ban but Lee Roche is still sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Clarets boss Steve Cotterill has hinted he will make changes for his side's fourth game in 11 days.

Wolves: are expected to rest striker Kenny Miller and defender Joleon Lescott because of injuries.
Winger Kevin Cooper begins a three-game suspension, while Dean Sturridge is doubtful with a thigh problem.

Cooper Ban

Kevin Cooper has been banned for Wolves next three games after being sent off on Saturday.
He was only only on the pitch for 11 minutes he came on as a substitute for Seol after 67 minutes. In the 76th minute he was fouled in the area and Carl Cort scored from the penalty.
But then in the 79th minute Cooper was sent off for a foul on the man who had conceded the penalty, Peter Gilbert.

Cooper said on WOW: "I know it looked bad but it wasn't malicious, I would never intentionally go in on anyone to hurt them.
"I was just keen to get possession and when I went to close him down the ball lifted slightly and I thought that I could block it. I got a touch to the ball but as he followed through his foot hit the bottom of my foot.
"I honestly thought that I had a chance of winning tackle but I was committed and couldn't stop.
"In hindsight perhaps I shouldn't have gone in but I think that it looked a lot worse than it was. I went to see the lad and his manager after the final whistle and they were OK about it.
"I have been knocking on the door to play, I really want to. But now I have to miss three matches which is obviously very disappointing."


19th September 2004

Match Reaction

Wolves appear to have put their disappointing start to the season behind them with two wins in a week following their success at Brighton.
But manager Dave Jones, angry that Cooper was sent off for a challenge on Peter Gilbert, accepted his side had been fortunate to leave Devon with three points.

"We made substitutions, got back in the game and then all hell breaks out because the linesman has decided that it's a sending-off offence," he said. "When you are down to 10 men and you came away with three points it's nice.
"I have not seen it but I spoke to Coops and he reckoned he got a touch on the ball and the lad has kicked him but until I see the video I can't really comment on it.
"We are not firing on all cylinders and we know that.
"I don't make any excuses but sometimes there are reasons. It's like today, you get a bit of booing from your crowd because I have brought off my top scorer (Kenny Miller).
"But he's got a calf injury and a hamstring problem that he's had since the Brighton game.
"I thought my two substitutions did well today but you don't get any credit for it."


18th September 2004

Plymouth 1-2 Wolves

30mins: Yellow card, Miller.
30mins:
Yellow card, Friio.
Half-Time: Plymouth 0-0 Wolves.
56mins:
Plymouth substitution, Crawford on for Keith.
62mins:
Goal, Friio heads Plymouth into the lead from a corner.
67mins:
Wolves substitutions, Sturridge on for Miller and Cooper on for Seol.
68mins:
Plymouth substitution, Milne on for Evans.
76mins:
Penalty, Cooper was fouled in the box by Gilbert.
77mins:
GOAL, Cort scores from the spot.
79mins:
Red card, Cooper.
81mins:
Plymouth substitution, Hodges on for Gilbert (injured).
85mins:
GOAL, Sturridge gives Wolves the lead.
90mins:
Wolves substitution, Andrews on for Sturridge.
Full-Time: Plymouth 1-2 Wolves.

Plymouth: 1
Larrieu, Connolly, Coughlan, Wotton, Gilbert, Norris, Friio, Adams, Makel, Evans, Keith.
Subs: Hodges (81), Lasley, Milne (68), Crawford (56), Doumbe.
Cards: Yellow: Friio. Red: None.
Wolves: 2
Jones, Clyde, Lescott, Craddock, Naylor, Newton, Ince, Olofinjana, Seol, Cort, Miller.
Subs: Oakes, Cameron, Cooper (67), Andrews (90), Sturridge (67).
Cards: Yellow: Miller. Red: Cooper.
Attendance: 18,635
 
Plymouth Match Stats Wolves
10
Shots On Target
2
7
Shots Off Target
5
14
Fouls (Conceded)
15
8
Corners
1
1
Yellow Cards
1
0
Red Cards
1

17th September 2004

Team News

Plymouth: Tony Capaldi limped out of the midweek defeat by Leeds, and is the only doubt for Argyle ahead of the visit of Wolves.
Boss Bobby Williamson could keep faith in goalkeeper Romain Larrieu.

Wolves: Boss Dave Jones is still without George Ndah, but Joachim Bjorklund could be included in the squad after battling back to fitness.
The midweek victory at Brighton did not bring any fresh injuries.
 


16th September 2004

Reserves Lose

A young Wolves reserves side lost 1-0 to Aston Villa reserves yesterday, Juan Pablo Angel getting the goal just before half-time.
Peter Whittingham laid a perfect ball into Angel's path and he hit an angled shot past the advancing Ikeme from 12-yards.

Aston Villa Reserves: Postma, Green, Whittingham, Cahill, Drobny, Berson, Cooke (Foley 87), Davis, Moore (Agboulahor 77), Angel (Paul 63), Nix.
Unused Subs: Olejnik, Gardner.
Wolves Reserves: Ikeme, Flynn, Rafferty, Clingan, Lowe, Townsend, Gobern, O'Connor, Mulligan (Musson 80), Stewart (Davies 59), Cornes (Gleeson 80).
Unused Subs: Hennessey, Riley.
Attendance: 881.


15th September 2004

Injury Update

Long-term injury victim George Ndah is poised for a return to training, he has been suffering from a thigh problem and has had minor surgery to drain fluid from the muscle, but he's been given the all-clear to begin his comeback next week after consulting a specialist in Cardiff.
Wolves physio Barry Holmes said: "George'll be doing strengthening work and then going into light training and running on Monday."

Early indications have shown that surgery to repair Rob Edwards detached ankle ligament have been successful, he has another review scheduled for a fortnight's time.

Match Reaction

Wolves manager Dave Jones felt his side made hard work of gaining their first league win in eight games.
He said: "It was not the best performance because we should have killed Brighton off.
"The longer the game went on the more edgy we became and by the death looking nervous.
"It was our first win and it was a particularly hard three points. Brighton is a difficult place to come and play and they made it hard for us."

Jones believes his side can become a force as soon as he has all his players back from injury.
He added: "When I get all my players fit it'll be a luxury and the squad will look healthier.
"Even now I have a bunch of first-teamers on the bench and things are starting to come together."


14th September 2004

Brighton 0-1 Wolves

22mins: GOAL, Miller heads Wolves into the lead.
Half-Time:
Brighton 0-1 Wolves.

56mins:
Brighton substitution, McPhee on for El-Abd.
65mins:
Brighton substitution, Harding on for Butters (injured).
74mins:
Yellow card, Hinshelwood.
77mins:
Yellow card, Clyde.
78mins:
Wolves substitution, Cooper on for Seol.
85mins:
Brighton substitution, Jarrett on for Nicholas.
Full-Time:
Brighton 0-1 Wolves.

Brighton: 0
Kuipers, Mayo, Cullip, Nicholas, Knight, Currie, Butters, Virgo, Hammond, Hinshelwood, El-Abd.
Subs: Oatway, Jarrett (85), McPhee (56), Harding (65), May.
Cards: Yellow: Hinshelwood. Red: None.
Wolves: 1
Jones, Clyde, Craddock, Lescott, Naylor, Newton, Ince, Olofinjana, Seol, Miller, Cort.
Subs: Oakes, Cameron, Cooper (78), Andrews, Clarke.
Cards: Yellow: Clyde. Red: None.
Attendance: 6,804
 
Brighton Match Stats Wolves
4
Shots On Target
5
7
Shots Off Target
4
18
Fouls (Conceded)
17
6
Corners
3
1
Yellow Cards
1
0
Red Cards
0

13th September 2004

Team News

Brighton: boss Mark McGhee could name an unchanged team once again after Adam Virgo's fine equaliser at Watford stretched their unbeaten run to three games.
Midfielder Charlie Oatway is pushing for a recall after recovering from a hamstring injury while Richard Carpenter and Paul Reid could also come into contention.

Wolves: could be without defender Lee Naylor, he was substituted after an hour of the 3-3 home draw with Wigan after suffering from a stomach upset which led to him becoming dehydrated.
With Mark Kennedy still absent through injury, new signing Seol Ki-hyeon will start again on the left wing, with Carl Cort partnering top scorer Kenny Miller in attack.
Manager Dave Jones says he will select a new penalty taker after Miller missed from the spot for the second time this season against Wigan.
The Wolves boss has also given his backing to goalkeeper Paul Jones, who has endured a miserable start to the season with Wolves and Wales and was singled out for criticism by supporters at the weekend.


12th September 2004

Match Reaction

Wolves boss Dave Jones said after yesterdays draw: "We have climbed a mountain again but we can't keep doing that.
"We're making too many individual errors and have forgotten how to go on and win a game at the moment.
"We were in charge of the game at 1-0, then showed ill-discipline by defending too deep and not marking at a free-kick.
"Kenny Miller has done his job for me by scoring twice but the two chances he scored from were harder than the one he missed. A penalty is a big, big chance and we have to be taking those.
"I would like someone else to take the kicks from now."


11th September 2004

Wolves 3-3 Wigan

15mins: GOAL, Miller gives Wolves the lead.
23mins:
Goal, Jackson equalises for Wigan.
24mins:
Yellow card, Breckin
28mins:
Goal, Ellington puts Wigan ahead.
Half-Time:
Wolves 1-2 Wigan.

57mins:
Penalty after Wright fouled Olofinjana.
58mins:
Filan saves Miller's penalty.
59mins:
Wolves substitution, Cooper on for Naylor.
62mins:
Yellow card, Roberts.
63mins:
Wigan substitution, Eaden on for Teale.
65mins:
GOAL, Miller gets his and Wolves second.
74mins:
Penalty, Lescott brought down Roberts.
75mins:
Goal, Roberts scores from the spot.
85mins:
Wolves substitutions, Cameron on for Olofinjana and Sturridge on for Seol.
87mins:
Wigan substitution, Thome on for Ellington.
90mins:
GOAL, Cameron equalises for Wolves.
Full-Time:
Wolves 3-3 Wigan.

Wolves: 3
Jones, Clyde, Naylor, Olofinjana, Lescott, Craddock, Newton, Ince, Miller, Seol, Cort.
Subs:  Oakes, Cameron (85), Cooper (59), Sturridge (85), Clarke.
Cards: Yellow: None. Red: None.
Wigan: 3
Filan, Jackson, Breckin, Ellington, McCulloch, Wright, Frandsen, Teale, Bullard, Baines, Roberts.
Subs: Thome (87), Graham, Walsh, Mahon, Eaden (63).
Cards: Yellow: Breckin, Roberts. Red: None.
Attendance: 26,790
 
Wolves Match Stats Wigan
5
Shots On Target
6
2
Shots Off Target
7
14
Fouls (Conceded)
12
4
Corners
9
0
Yellow Cards
2
0
Red Cards
0

10th September 2004

Team News

Wolves: have had a two-week break to clear their treatment room and could welcome back striker Carl Cort for his first appearance of the season.
Cort suffered a hamstring injury in pre-season, but scored for the reserves in midweek and looks set to replace Leon Clarke and partner Kenny Miller in attack.
Keeper Matt Murray, winger Kevin Cooper and defender Joachim Bjorklund are also available again after injury, although Mark Kennedy, George Ndah and Rob Edwards remain sidelined.
Meanwhile, Wolves supporters could get a first opportunity to see latest signing Seol Ki-Hyeon, who will train with his team-mates for the first time on Friday after returning from international duty with South Korea.

Wigan: manager Paul Jewell is missing only long-term injury victim Jason Jarrett for the trip to the West Midlands.
Defender Leighton Baines returned from international duty with the England U21 squad with a sore back, but is expected to start at Molineux.


9th September 2004

Injury Update

Striker Carl Cort is ready to make his first senior start of the season against Wigan partnering Kenny Miller in the Wolves attack.
He has shaken off his hamstring injury and a virus infection and played 81 minutes in Wolves reserves 2-1 win over his old club Newcastle on Tuesday.

Keith Andrews is expected to return to full training by Friday, he suffered an ankle knock while playing for the reserves. He's now been given the all-clear by physio Steve Kemp.

Mark Kennedy is making a rapid recovery from medial knee ligament damage and could be fit by the end of September. Sooner than specialists had predicted.

Matt Murray returned to reserve duty after shaking off the injury problems that kept him on the sidelines for nearly a year. His excellent performance could signal a return to the first team because Paul Jones is currently looking shell shocked after a string of blunders, while Michael Oakes knows he does not have a big part to play in the manager's plans.

Now boss Dave Jones can start to enjoy having selection problems instead of injury problems as just Mark Kennedy, George Ndah and Vio Ganea are occupying seats in the treatment room.


7th September 2004

Reserves Win

Five of Wolves senior players made their comebacks from injury in Wolves reserves 2-1 win over Newcastle reserves this evening.
Murray, Sturridge and Cooper played the whole match, Cort was substituted after 81 minutes and Bjorklund got through an hour of the game comfortably.

Wolves took the lead in the 36th minute, Cort had nodded the ball down to Sturridge whose shot was blocked. A defender's attempted clearance went only as far as Cort who finished with a crisp right foot shot.
A minute before half-time, Wolves went two up thanks to a stunning goal from Kevin O'Connor. The young midfielder met Lewis Gobern's cross on the 18-yard line and sent in a first time shot that was a blur as it found the back of the net.
Newcastle pulled one back in the 53rd minute through Ameobi who drilled a fierce angled shot through Murray's legs after N'Zogbia had provided a telling pass.

Wolves Reserves: Murray, Flynn, Rafferty, Clingan, Lowe, Bjorklund (Townsend 60), Gobern (Cornes 87), O'Connor, Cort (Mulligan 81), Sturridge, Cooper.
Unused Subs: Ikeme, Gleeson.
Yellow Card: Cort.
Newcastle Reserves: Bartlett, Gate, Cave, Ramage, Edgar, Smylie, Brittain, Webster, Guy, Ameobi, N'Zogbia.
Unused subs: Howe, Smith, Farman, Marshall, Bates.
Yellow Card: Gate.
Attendance: 793.


6th September 2004

Injury News

Wolves could soon be boosted by the return to first-team action of striker Carl Cort and keeper Matt Murray.
Striker Kenny Miller has been playing alongside teenager Leon Clarke in the Wolves front line and, while the youngster has impressed, the team need an experienced marksman if they are to drag themselves away from the wrong end of the table.
And, with Paul Jones struggling between the posts, Murray is also needed back.
Paul Jones has been guilty of a string of blunders since the season began and his weekend blunder for Wales will not help to build his confidence.
Now Murray and Cort are set to join Wolves reserves on Tuesday night and a good performance from both men will put them firmly on the road to a quick return to the senior side.


3rd September 2004

Miller Staying On List

Striker Kenny Miller is staying on the transfer list despite scoring four goals in seven games this season, making him the current top scorer for Wolves.
Boss Dave Jones said: "Kenny decided he wanted to go on the transfer list because he couldn't get into the team.
"Then all of a sudden all our strikers are injured and Kenny is the leading man and scoring goals.
"Him coming off the list has never been mentioned but if he keeps playing well and scoring goals then why change it?"


2nd September 2004

Edwards Out For 3 Months

Defender Rob Edwards is to undergo surgery to cure ankle ligament damage and faces at least three months on the sidelines.
The 21-year-old has missed Wolves last two matches and withdrew from Wales' squad for the Azerbaijan game.
The ankle is the same one Edwards dislocated whilst at Aston Villa.
His transfer from Villa was threatened when Wolves sought specialist opinion on the strength of the ankle, but was finally cleared.
 


1st September 2004

Bakayoko Deal Off

Wolves has confirmed that they have pulled out of the deal to sign striker Ibrahima Bakayoko, shortly before the transfer deadline last night.
He was at Molineux on Saturday to watch Wolves draw with Leicester and he passed a medical over the weekend. The club expected the transfer to be completed with plenty of time to spare before the deadline.
Chief executive Jez Moxey said on WOW: "The Board reached the decision not to proceed with the transfer of Bakayoko late last night. We were not convinced that the player was as committed to Wolves as much as we would expect.
"The deal could have been completed over a week ago, had the player and his Spanish agent really wanted it to happen. However, during virtually every conversation the agent asked for more money or created other issues. Having finally reached what we thought was full agreement with all parties following the Leicester match, yesterday, out of the blue, we were presented with a transfer document to pay the proposed £350,000 transfer fee to a Portuguese company - which is of course is not permitted under the regulations.
"Having said we would not do this, we were then asked to pay an additional &pound;65,000. I made numerous calls to the agents during yesterday but heard nothing back from them until about 10:15 last night by which time is was too late; our decision had been made.

Bakayoko has to serve a three-match ban after being sent off at the end of last season for Osasuna (his Spanish club). That would have meant that even if the deal had been finalised last night he would not have been available to play until 21st September. By then the club hopes that many of the injured strikers will be fully fit.
"If the deal had been completed earlier, as we'd hoped and expected, then the suspension would have taken in the Burnley, Rochdale and Leicester games, so he would have been eligible for us by now," adds Jez. "We are disappointed that the player was unable to agree the deal at that time.
"This is not necessarily the end of our transfer activity. If we need a defender, a midfielder or another striker, then we are still able to loan or buy an English-based player with the money that would have been spent on acquiring Bakayoko."

Reserves Win

Wolves reserves beat Bolton reserves 3-2, Wolves were three up at half-time and Lewis Gobern's goal-line clearance stopped them getting a last minute equaliser.
Wolves took the lead in the 11th minute, Dean Sturridge took a return pass from Cornes and slid the ball past Bolton keeper Chris Howarth.
In the 22nd minute Wolves got their second, Gobern lashed the ball into the roof of the net after Sturridge had nodded a Clingan corner down to him. Howarth managed to get a hand to the ball but the shot was too powerful for him to keep out.
Wolves third goal came on the half-hour, Kevin O'Connor's corner was only half cleared to Cornes who hit a first time shot that Howarth did well to turn aside. But Keith Andrews latched on to the loose ball to score from close quarters.

Just 30 seconds into the second-half, Bolton were awarded a penalty when Conor Rafferty was adjudged to have fouled Buval to the right of the home area. Buval got up to take the kick himself - Murray just failing to keep out his shot into the corner of the net.
Buval got Bolton's second in the 53rd minute with an individual effort that saw him run through the heart of the Wolves defence before he casually flicked the ball past Murray.
In the last few seconds from Thach's second corner Charlie Comyn-Platt looked to have headed Bolton level but Gobern popped up on the line to head clear. The final whistle sounded almost immediately.

Bolton Reserves: Howarth, Powell, Stott, Whitehead, Comyn-Platt, Hill, Kribib, Gillan (Fojut 31), Buval, Sinclair (Luisi 79), Thach.
Unused subs: Gibb, Magill, Knowles.
Wolves Reserves: Murray, Flynn, Rafferty, Andrews (Riley 83), Lowe, Townsend, Gobern, Clingan, Sturridge, Cornes (Musson 76), O'Connor Gleeson 76).
Unused Subs: Ikeme, Little.
Attendance: 225.