News Index

All the news from around the internet, or gossip emailed to me from fans. Updated daily

31st October 2000

 Team News

Sami Al Jaber has returned to England from his participation in the Asian Cup and could be on the bench, on loan defender Darren Peacock could be playing after Wolves received verbal permission from Blackburn to play him. Kevin Muscat is struggling with a knee injury, Ludovic Pollet looks certain to be missing because of a gashed eye and Ryan Green is suspended.
Also Tony Dinning is cup-tied and there are doubts surrounding Neil Emblen and a recent bout of food poisoning.

 Reserves Loose

Wolves reserves lost to Huddersfield Town reserves on Monday evening at Molineux, but the good news from the match was that George Ndah played with no problems.

30th October 2000

 Taylor Mistake

Wolves owner Sir Jack Hayward has said it was a mistake to get rid of Graham Taylor 5 years ago.
Sir Jack said "If we had stuck with Graham and given him more time, he would have got us into the Premiership, I've no doubts about that at all.
"Forget what happened while he was manager of England because that was an impossible job. His track record in club management speaks for itself and I just wish he had stayed at Molineux."

Pollet Update

Ludovic Pollet is trying to be fit for Wolves' Worthington Cup tie against Fulham on Wednesday at Craven Cottage, after suffering a nasty gash above his left eye following a clash of heads with Hornets defender Neil Cox during Wolves draw against Watford at Molineux.
Colin Lee revealed afterwards that the former Le Havre star had to have nine stitches inserted into the wound.

29th October 2000

 Injury Update

Wolves goalkeeper Matt Murray could be out for the rest of the season, he has suffered a cruciate ligament injury.
The 19 year old picked up the problem while on loan with Conference outfit Kingstonian and he'll now be sidelined for at least six months.
Colin Lee said: "The likelihood is that Matt will need reconstructive surgery. If that is the case he will be out for a long time."

28th October 2000

 Wolves 2-2 Watford

Wolves fought back during the second half to earn a draw against Division one leaders Watford, Match Report

27th October 2000

 Ndah Return

George Ndah has returned to training and will turn out for Wolves second string against Huddersfield Town on Monday.
The Wolves striker has been beset by injury problems since his £1 million move from Swindon Town, but he has managed to shake off his latest injury and is now back in full training with the first team squad.

Taylor Injured Again

Wolves striker Robert Taylor is back in the Molineux treatment room after suffering a fresh calf injury.
Taylor has not enjoyed the best of times with injuries since his move from Manchester City, and he was forced out of last Saturday's draw with Fulham with a calf strain.

TRANSFER SITUATION CLARIFIED (copied from www.wolves.co.uk)

Chief Executive Jez Moxey has explained the club's stance in view of the European Commission's challenge of the legality of the existing transfer system.
Like a lot of other clubs in the Premier and Nationwide Leagues, Wolves won't be offering large sums of money for players until the situation has been resolved.
But the Wolves board haven't ruled out bringing in any new blood altogether and would listen to any requests made by Colin Lee.
"We have confirmed to the manager, and confirmed publicly, that we would look at any player that Colin may wish to bring to Molineux," said the Chief Executive.
"Certainly, if we can find players in the mould of Tony Dinning, we would do everything we possibly could to make finance available.
"In fact, today, I've been talking to the agents about the ongoing situation with Mohamed Camara.
"The manager is keen to make that a permanent move so it may well be a transfer where we pay a fee to Le Havre for him.
"I wanted to clear that point up because I wouldn't want the fans to think that we'd suddenly said we're not going to spend any more money on players."The speedy Camara, who impressed in Wolves pre-season warm-up, has made six first team appearances for Wolves since his loan from his parent club in France began.

Wolves young goalkeeper Matt Murray, who has spent much of his professional career at Molineux on the injured list, has once again been sidelined.
He damaged the cartilage in his left knee just 20 minutes into his one months loan debut for Kingstonian at table topping Yeovil.
Matt had gone to the Conference club to get some first team experience. Though he was able to complete the game, as there was no substitute keeper on the bench, he admitted it was a struggle after he'd hurt the knee.

Wolves are running a special offer for the Crystal Palace match on Saturday, 11th November, in the John Ireland Stand lower tier.
Supporters can purchase two tickets for this area and get an additional one free.
Season ticket holders will be entitled to buy one and get one free on production of match voucher number three.
Anyone wishing to purchase tickets under this offer must do so from the ticket office.
The offer is subject to availability and only applies to this particular area of the ground.

 This afternoon the club issued a statement with regard to a legal matter.
(Copied from www.wolves.co.uk)

The statement read:

It was announced today that a settlement has been agreed in the litigation brought by Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club concerning certain payments made by or on behalf of the Club to its former Chairman, and Director, Jonathan Hayward. The litigation was also brought against another former Director, Nic Stones, and the Club's former legal advisers Messrs Wiggin and Co.. The trial of the Action was scheduled to commence on 30th October. The settlement reached with the defendants is satisfactory to the Club. In the light of the terms of the settlement (which are confidential) the Club has agreed to withdraw its claims.

No further announcement will be made concerning the case, or its outcome.

Wolves: Manager Colin Lee was today checking the fitness of defender Kevin Muscat (knee), utility man Neil Emblen (thigh), midfielder Simon Osborn (back) and forward Robert Taylor (calf). Lee is also contemplating a recall for Temuri Ketsbaia, who has slipped out of favour in recent weeks following his opening day goal explosion.

 Ndah Comeback Dented

There was more bad news for George Ndah who didn't make Wednesday's friendly with Notts County because of a groin strain that he picked up in training.
It's the latest in a string of niggling injuries that the striker has suffered since recovering from a broken leg.

 Another Loan Spell

Wolves young goalkeeper Matt Murray is off for a months loan with Kingstonian who are stuck at the bottom of the Conference League. Matt who missed all of last season because of injury, recently had a short spell with Slough Town.
And if Matt plays for Kingstonian on Saturday then he is in for a busy debut as he will be facing a Yeovil team that currently head the Conference league.

Ryan Green's red card in the Black Country derby game means that he will be suspended for Wolves Worthington Cup tie at Fulham.
The Welsh under 21 skipper was shown the yellow card twice within four minutes towards the end of the first half.
Ironically he only just recovered from a calf strain in time to take part in a game that was, for him, to end early following two fouls on former Wolves striker Jason Roberts.

 Defender Linked

Wolves have been linked with a big money move for Finnish international defender Hannu Tikanen.
The Viking Stavanger player starred for Finland in their recent World cup qualifier against England in Helsinki.

Staunton Update

It's reported Steve Staunton is in talks with Wolves regarding a loan move to Molineux.
The loan deal could be with a view to a permanent deal after Staunton was handed a free transfer by Premiership outfit Liverpool.

Wolves Manager Colin Lee was not pleased with some of referee Clive Wilkes decisions in last night's 1-0 defeat at West Brom.
Lee described the award of a penalty to West Brom from which Lee Hughes grabbed the winning goal as a dubious decision.
The manager complained: "He also gave Ryan Green his marching orders when the young defender's first yellow was no more than a shoulder to shoulder challenge."
Meanwhile, the boss complained of inconsistency after Lee Hughes did not receive a yellow card when he appeared to deliberately kick the ball away, a booking which if it had been given would have seen the striker receive his marching orders for a second yellow card.
Lee added: "If you are to follow the line of the law you have got stick to it. It seems there is a rule for some players and another for the rest."
Lee admitted Green was devastated by his red card, while conceding that the young defender's yellow card was valid.
The manager, who felt television evidence also proved the challenge by Darren Peacock on Hughes for the penalty was not worthy of a spot kick, added: "The referee needlessly put himself under pressure."

Another Striker Needed

Colin Lee has identified the need for a 25-goals-a-season striker after re-opening the controversy over the sale of Ade Akinbiyi.
The Wolves boss watched his team miss the lion's share of opportunities as they crashed to a 2-1 defeat at bogey team Bolton at the weekend.
The lack of goals is beginning to concern the Wolves boss, with only one goal coming from open play in the last three games.
"We need a player who is a 25-goals-a-season job," groaned Lee. "But we do not have that."
"I am disappointed that that player was sold," he said in reference to the £5m sale of Akinbiyi. "We did it with Akinbiyi and with Robbie Keane."

 Peacock Signs On Loan

Colin Lee has signed Darren Peacock on a months loan to try and ease his defence problem, I've seen him play at Hereford Utd where they used to call him Psycho because of his tackling techniques.

Team news

Bolton: Defender Mark Fish and goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen have returned unscathed from international duty and will face Wolves.

Wolves: Colin Lee has defensive problems with Kevin Muscat and Ryan Green likely to join Steve Sedgley and Ludovic Pollet on the sidelines.

Muscat has a knee injury while Green picked up a calf problem on international duty with Wales. Sedgley will be out for three months following a knee operation, and Pollet's return from injury was hampered by a red card early in his comeback game for the reserves.

Wolves have turned their sights to Blackburn's Darren Peacock in their search for an experienced central defender. Ewood Park boss Graeme Souness today confirmed that an enquiry had been received from Molineux for a player who is available almost immediately - either on loan or permanently.
And Wolves boss Colin Lee, while declining to discuss Peacock, has admitted he is hot on the trail of several potential targets.
"We have made many enquiries," Lee said today. "The search is on-going and we looked at players who were on international duty this week.
"We are short in that position, with Ludovic Pollet just coming back from injury and then having a suspension later this month.
"And Joleon Lescott is due to go off with the England youths in November."

Steve Sedgley has been ruled out of action for at least three months, following surgery in Bradford yesterday.
The utility man underwent an operation to investigate the discomfort he has been feeling in his left knee. The surgical team found, and removed, a piece of flaked bone.
"We have been told that there will be a minimum recovery period of three months," says manager Colin Lee.
"It's a blow to Steve and the club. He is a versatile and valuable member of the squad. Now we've lost Steve as well as Scott Taylor to long term injuries."

Neil Emblen is on alert for another call-up to the Wolves captaincy.
The popular utility man, who stood in as skipper in last month's 4-0 Molineux slaughter of Norwich, will be handed the armband again if Kevin Muscat and Simon Osborn miss Saturday's tough trip to Bolton.
"Choosing a captain isn't a high priority at this stage," said manager Colin Lee. "It's more about trying to get players available again."

Steve Sedgley's hopes of an early return to the action have taken a knock with the news that he is to have a knee operation on Wednesday.
The defender-midfielder missed most of the club's pre-season build up and the first two games of the campaign following surgery on the knee at the beginning of the summer.

Kevin Muscat is rated as doubtful for Saturday's game at Bolton, because there is concern over the injury that he picked up in last week's cup tie against Grimsby.
The Wolves captain had a scan on the wound over at the weekend. The results revealed that he had damage to the lateral knee ligaments and, despite receiving intensive treatment, he could be missing from the action, for only the second time this season, at the Reebok Stadium.

 Youth Team Results

The Wolves youth teams were in action on the weekend, the under 19s beet Middlesbrough 3-1 with goals from Jermaine Easter, Shane Barratt and Andrew Morrow.
The under 17s weren't so fortunate and they finished a well beaten side slipping to a 4-0 defeat at Blackburn. Coach Keith Downing said: "It was good education for our boys.

"Blackburn were a strong side who moved the ball about well so though the result was disappointing, I'm hoping they can learn something from plsying against a really good side."

Wolves have announced the date for their home game with Grimsby Town, which should have been played today but was postponed because of international call-ups involving several Molineux men. It will now be played on Tuesday 21st November.

Neil Emblen's Achilles tendon injury that kept him out of Wolves match at Nottingham Forest on Saturday, has thankfully cleared up as quickly as it had appeared.
Neil was cleared to play in the Cup tie with Grimsby and he came through the game with no ill effects.