'The Wolves' Site News Page

Southampton: Grzegorz Rasiak and John Viafara are both doubts.
Chris Makin (shin) is back in training and could feature but David Prutton (ankle), Djamel Belmadi and Darren Powell (both knee) are all out.

Wolves: have doubts over Jody Craddock and Jay Bothroyd, so Leon Clarke will be asked to lead the line alongside striker Jemal Johnson.
Carl Cort is also set to figure after playing 70 minutes at the weekend but midfielder Mark Davies is out.

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy said after the match: "It's a good point and we looked like we were going to lose, so I will take it.
"It would not have been justified if we had won because I think Wednesday played well and deserved a draw.
"It wasn't our best performance but, when I look back, I think I'll be pleased with what we have. We may well have come away with nothing."

4mins: Yellow card, Hills.
11mins: Wolves substitution, Cort on for Bothroyd (injured).
30mins: GOAL, Clarke heads Wolves into the lead from Claphams cross.
36mins: Goal, Small equalises.
Half Time: Wolves 1-1 Sheff Wed.
53mins: Goal, Brunt gives Sheff wed the lead.
57mins: Wolves substitution, Gobern on for Potter.
60mins: Sheff Wed substitution, Whelan on for Small.
66mins: Wolves substitution, Little on for Craddock (injured).
73mins: GOAL, Clarke equalises with his second goal.
80mins: Sheff Wed substitution, Talbot on for Tudgay.
81mins: Sheff Wed substitution, MacLean on for Burton.
90+mins: Yellow card, Lunt.
Full Time: Wolves 2-2 Sheff Wed.

Wolves: 2

Murray, Olofinjana, Breen, Craddock, Henry, Bothroyd, Clapham, Edwards, Potter, Clarke, Ricketts.

Subs: Cort (11), C Davies, Gobern (57), Little (66), Ikeme.

Cards: Yellow: None. Red: None.

Sheff Wed: 2

Jones, Simek, Hills, Bougherra, Spurr, Lunt, Folly, Small, Brunt, Tudgay, Burton.

Subs: Bullen, Adamson, Whelan (60), MacLean (81), Talbot (80).

Cards: Yellow: Hills, Lunt. Red: None.

Attendance: 20,637

Wolves: Long-term absentees Jackie McNamara and Carl Cort are in contention for the match with Sheffield Wednesday.
Lewis Gobern is doubtful with a hamstring injury, Mark Clyde is short of match fitness and Mark Davies is sidelined with knee problems.

Sheffield Wednesday: will give late fitness tests to Graham Coughlan (hamstring) and Deon Burton (calf).
Otherwise, caretaker boss Sean McAuley has no new injury or suspension worries for the trip to Molineux.

Defender Keith Lowe is returning to Cheltenham Town for another month's loan.
The 21-year-old spent four weeks at Whaddon Road earlier this season and manager John Ward is eager to have the Academy graduate back.
The Ex-Wolves assistant manager watched Keith in action in yesterday's friendly at Compton and told WOW: "Keith did well in the time he was with us and he's a player the fans enjoyed watching.
"I spoke to Mick McCarthy about the possibility of having him back and he invited me to come over and watch Keith play against Dunkirk.
"You know what you are getting with Keith. He is a very reliable young player and someone who will give me options.
"The plan is that he'll go straight into the team and play for us against Nottingham Forest on Saturday."

Ex-Wolves defender Ludo Pollet brought a young Dunkirk team to Wolverhampton for a friendly at Compton Park today
Wolves won 6-0 with Leon Clarke scoring a first-half hat-trick.

Clarke gave Wolves the lead in the 11th minute when he swept home a cross from Daniel Jones.
Wolves second came in the 25th minute after Dunkirk keeper Romain Desjouis had pushed out a shot from Craig Davies and then tripped Jones as he ran onto the loose ball. Clarke clinically tucked away the penalty.
In the 41st minute came the third goal, Clarke slid the ball back for Davies to score with a low shot
Then 3 minutes later Clarke completed his hat-trick with a drive that took a deflection on its way past Desjouis.
In the final minute of the half Cort turned and rapped home a shot from eight-yards after Davies had nodded down a centre from Jones.
Bennett got the sixth in the 74th minute, the Academy youngster racing through on the right before burying a low shot.

Wolves: Ikeme (Oakes 45), McNamara (Collins 69), Little, Rosa (Salmon 69), Wheater (Askey 69), Lowe (Riley 57), C. Davies (Bennett 59), Gleeson, Cort (Bailey 69), Clarke (Finkler 45), Jones.
Dunkirk: Desjouis, Chaoui, Hachim, Lerine, Harlewyak, Balde, Chateau, Lesage, Romanazzi, Chadu, Damman.
Subs: Verbrugge, Santman, Boine, Fontaine, Malm.

Carl Cort is set to make a return to action when Wolves face Dunkirk in a friendly match tomorrow.
The striker has been out of action with a groin injury since his substitute appearance against Barnsley last month.
Also returning from injury for tomorrows friendly is defender Jackie McNamara. He has played only two first team games since tearing his cruciate in September 2005 and injuring his hip this pre-season.

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy said: "We've had plenty of the game but they were a bit more clinical in the final third. That tells the story of the game.
"In the first half we started well and they had a free-kick which we didn't put them under pressure from. Five seconds later the ball was in the back of our net. That disappoints me.
"For the second goal, Albrechtsen got past two tackles and Kamara had a free header so the goals we conceded gave them the foothold we didn't want them to have.
"In the second half we had enough chances but perhaps the fact we have only scored 10 goals tells its own story and we have got to be a bit more clinical in front of goal.
"That's just not forwards but centre-backs, wide players, midfielders also contributing."

10mins: Yellow card, Greening.
11mins: Goal, Greening puts WBA ahead.
27mins: Goal, Kamara doubles thier lead.
Half Time: West Brom 2-0 Wolves.
51mins: Yellow card, Craddock.
56mins: Yellow card, Gera.
63mins: Wolves substitution, Clarke on for Johnson.
65mins: Yellow card, Albrechtsen.
66mins: West Brom substitution, Hartson on for Ellington.
72mins: Wolves substitution, Craig Davies on for Potter.
74mins: West Brom substitution, Chaplow on for Koumas.
83mins: Wolves substitution, Little on for Edwards.
84mins: Penalty given, Little fouled Kamara.
85mins: Goal, Hartson scores from the spot.
86mins: West Brom substitution, Watson on for Gera.
Full Time: West Brom 3-0 Wolves.

West Brom: 3

Zuberbuhler, Albrechtsen, Curtis Davies, Perry, Robinson, Koumas, Greening, Quashie, Gera, Ellington, Kamara.

Subs: Steele, Hartson (66), Chaplow (74), Watson (86), McShane.

Cards: Yellow: Greening, Gera, Albrechtsen. Red: None.

Wolves: 0

Murray, Olofinjana, Breen, Craddock, Henry, Bothroyd, Clapham, Edwards (83), Johnson, Potter, Ricketts.

Subs: Clarke (63), Craig Davies (72), Little, Ikeme, Wheater.

Cards: Yellow: Craddock. Red: None.

Attendance: 26,606

West Brom: manager Tony Mowbray is sweating on the fitness of star striker Kevin Phillips heading into the Black Country derby with Wolves at The Hawthorns.
A calf niggle meant Phillips was not risked in the 2-0 midweek win at Crystal Palace but he is expected to return to contention for Sunday's fixture.
However, Darren Carter will play no part as he serves a one-game suspension for collecting five yellow cards.
Also certain to be missing is long-term casualty Neil Clement who has yet to feature this season following knee surgery.
And centre-half Thomas Gaardsoe will also be absent with the Dane struggling to recover from a groin operation and admitting his career could now be in jeopardy.

Wolves: manager Mick McCarthy could see his options boosted ahead of the Black Country derby.
Striker Carl Cort could return to contention following groin and hamstring troubles, while defender Jackie McNamara may also come into the reckoning after overcoming the hip problem which delayed his return from cruciate knee ligament surgery.
Denes Rosa is back from groin and knee complaints.
However, Mark Clyde continues to struggle for match fitness despite recovering from a shin injury and Mark Davies is also expected to be ruled out as a result of knee problems.
Meanwhile, central defender Gabor Gypes (cruciate knee ligament) is not expected to return to first-team contention until Christmas.

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy believes his side were due a little bit of luck after Elliott Ward's first-half own goal gave them a narrow 1-0 win over West Midlands neighbours Coventry.
Seyi Olofinjana's deflected shot off the unfortunate Ward was all that separated the two sides, but to make matters worse Coventry could have received a free-kick after Jemal Johnson's foul on Chris Birchall in the build-up.

McCarthy said: "We had to work hard as a team and we did. I'm delighted with the three points - that's six at home in three days - but I feel relieved and a little fortunate we got the win.
"We could have finished it off. I know they feel there was a foul on their player and I can't argue with that.
"I said after Cardiff I thought the luck would go against us. I said after that I thought we might get it back and perhaps tonight that was the case.
"They played really well and probably deserved something but they didn't get anything.

And McCarthy reserved special praise for Gary Breen, who played under him for the Republic of Ireland and Sunderland, and is becoming something of a fans' favourite at Molineux, helping Wolves to seven clean sheets already this season.
"I knew what I was getting when I came in. He's a captain, a leader. I think he has a real able lieutenant beside him in Jody Craddock, who has responded to the captaincy superbly. They are an able partnership."

11mins: Coventry substitution, Tabb on for McNamee (injured).
20mins: GOAL, ward puts the ball into his own net to gve Wolves the lead.
Half Time: Wolves 1-0 Coventry.
56mins: Yellow card, Bothroyd.
58mins: Yellow card, Olofinjana.
61mins: Wolves substitutions, Clarke on for Bothroyd and C Davies on for Johnson.
70mins: Coventry substitution, Kyle on for Doyle.
79mins: Coventry substitution, John on for Heath.
89mins: Yellow card, Kyle.
Full Time: Wolves 1-0 Coventry.

Wolves: 1

Murray, Olofinjana, Breen, Craddock, Henry, Bothroyd, Clapham, Edwards, Johnson, Potter, Ricketts.

Subs: Clarke (61), C Davies (61), Gobern, Wheater, Ikeme.

Cards: Yellow: Bothroyd, Olofinjana. Red: None.

Coventry: 0

Marshall, Page, Hughes, Ward, Adebola, McNamee, McKenzie, Doyle, Birchall, Cameron, Heath.

Subs: John (79), Huchinson, Tabb (11), Thornton, Kyle (70).

Cards: Yellow: Kyle. Red: None.

Attendance: 19,823

Wolves: defender Charlie Mulgrew (hamstring) and Carl Cort (groin and hamstring) are doubtful for the home tie with Coventry.
But Jackie McNamara has recovered from a hip problem and Denes Rosa is back from groin and knee complaints

Coventry: Marcus Hall is doubtful with a knee injury so Jay Tabb could step in to replace him at left wingback.
Stern John, Chris Birchall and Kevin Kyle are all vying for a recall if Micky Adams wants to change his team.

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy wants matchwinner Jay Bothroyd to "match his craft with graft".
McCarthy watched Bothroyd score the only goal of the game to earn Wolves victory over Colchester at Molineux and propel the Black Country side to fifth in the Championship table.
Bothroyd struck in the 51st minute after having hit the post in the first half, with the visitors' best chance being squandered when Jamie Cureton headed wide when inches from goal and unmarked at the back post.
And Wanderers boss McCarthy said: "Jay has had his fitness problems already this season but there is no doubt he is a talented goalscorer.
"I chew his ear from time to time about his workrate because football is not always about craft - sometimes it is about graft.
"We are not the sort of side who can have someone cruising, we all have to give 100%.
"But at some stage you are looking for a little bit of craft or something special to win a game and Jay is certainly a talent.
"That win takes us to fifth but I'm not bothered about the league position, although it is nice for the players because they are on bonuses if they stay inside the top six.
"Dropping out of the top six is not seen to be acceptable for this club which, given the circumstances this season, is a bit harsh."

McCarthy also praised United goalkeeper Aidan Davison.
The Wolves boss said: "Colchester had a couple of chances - one of them from a corner because we did not mark up and that was something we spent two days working on in training this week.
"We got away with that one, but when Matt Murray needed to make a save late in the game he made one.
"However, the opposition goalkeeper was arguably the man of the match because he made some great saves."

14mins: Bothroyd hits the post.
18mins: Yellow card, Olofinjana.
Half Time: Wolves 0-0 Colchester.
51mins: GOAL, Bothroyd puts Wolves ahead from Ricketts free-kick.
61mins: Colchester substitution, McCleod on for Iwelumo.
79mins: Wolves substitution, Clarke on for Ricketts.
80mins: Yellow card, McCleod.
81mins: Wolves substitution, C Davies on for Bothroyd.
83mins: Colchester substitutions, Jackson on for Watson and Guy on for Cureton.
86mins: Wolves substitution, Gobern on for Johnson.
90mins: Yellow card, Gobern.
Full Time: Wolves 1-0 Colchester.

Wolves: 1

Murray, Olofinjana, Breen, Craddock, Henry, Bothroyd, Clapham, Edwards, Johnson, Potter, Ricketts.

Subs: Clarke (79), C Davies (81), Gobern (86), Mulgrew, Ikeme.

Cards: Yellow: Olofinjana, Gobern. Red: None.

Colchester: 0

Davison, Halford, Brown, Watson, Duguid, Cureton, Izzet, Iwelumo, Baldwin, Garcia, Barker.

Subs: White, Jackson (83), Gerken, Guy (83), McLeod (61).

Cards: Yellow: McCleod. Red: None.

Attendance: 19,318

Wolves: striker Carl Cort has recovered from groin and hamstring trouble and could start, while Leon Clarke has overcome an ankle knock.
Craig Davies has recovered from a wrist problem while Jackie McNamara and Denes Rosa are also fit after injury.

Colchester: boss Geraint Williams is set to name an unchanged side.
Williams has used the same 10 outfield players for the last six games - so Johnnie Jackson and Kevin McLeod are again likely to start from the bench.

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has said he is still keen to bring in players on loan but they are unlikely to be seasoned professionals.
Instead, he is looking to recruit young players who are prepared to come to Molineux to provide cover to the existing squad.

McCarthy said on WOW: "We are still looking at loans, but we have to carefully consider everything before bringing people in.
"Loans are great but if you bring in a senior player from another club then naturally he wants to play.
"If I do bring in a player like that then I can't guarantee him a first team place in front of whoever is doing the job at the moment.
"That being the case, then there is no point in them coming here, because they would probably be in exactly the same position at their current club.
"I need players as cover, but that doesn't necessarily mean regular football, which can be difficult when dealing with senior pros.
"It works well with young players, like David Wheater, because he knows what he's here for, and he has played in three of the friendly matches we've had since he has been here."

Wolves lost 1-0 against Chesterfield in a friendly at Saltergate this afternoon.
Some good news was Denes Rosa played for 70 trouble free minutes following his seven week injury lay-off in front of watching manager, Mick McCarthy.

Chesterfield took the lead in the 20th minute when Wiggins-Thomas converted from close quarters after taking a short pass from Michael Standing.

Chesterfield: Jordan, Picken, Law, Kovacs, Lowry, Jackson, Wiggins-Turner, G. Davies (capt), Standing, Smith, Williams (O'Brien 66).
Unused Subs: R. Bull, T. Bull, J. Lowe, Roome, Whatsize.
Wolves: Oakes, K. Lowe (Askey 80), Mulgrew (Hughes 80), Rosa (Bailey 70), Wheater, Riley (capt), Gobern, Salmon (Collins 75), C. Davies, Finkler (Bennett 52), Jones. Unused Sub: Lumley.

Defender Keith Lowe is keen to catch manager Mick McCarthy's eye after returning from a loan spell at Cheltenham.
The 21-year-old spent a frustrating month's loan at Brighton earlier this season where he failed to make a single first-team appearance.
But Lowe started six games and made one substitute appearance with the Robins under the guidance of former Wolvess assistant John Ward.
And after returning from Whaddon Road, Lowe said: "Cheltenham had a few injury problems which meant I went straight into the team.
"And John said he would have liked me to have stayed longer had the budget allowed it.
"But now I'm back, the aim is to keep improving as much as I can and I hope to play in a practice match as soon as I can so I get a chance to catch the gaffer's eye."

From WOW: Successful local businessman and lifelong fan, John Bowater, has today joined the board of Wolves. He will sit alongside Jez Moxey (Chief Executive) and the recently appointed directors Kevin Threlfall and John Gough to create a four-man football club board.

As a result of these appointments and the continued commitment of Sir Jack Hayward, President, 100% owner of Wolves and key member of the Football Club's holding company Board, a Chairman will not be appointed as it was deemed unnecessary.
Jez Moxey says: "The Board is now complete and consists of Wolves fans who understand what the Club means to the city. Equally, they are all successful businessmen who will each bring a different perspective and skill set to the table. This can only help the Club as we pursue a strategy of commercial self-reliance in order to secure our medium to long-term viability and success."

Mr Bowater (57) was born in the Black Country and lives with partner Gina and daughters Natasha (4) and Neve (1) in the North of Wolverhampton . He is currently Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer of Aggregate Industries Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Swiss based Holcim Group. Aggregate Industries is a heavy building materials Group operating predominantly in the UK and US with annual sales in the region of £2.5 billion. Prior to that, Mr Bowater was a Director of Tarmac plc, where he worked for 35 years. He is also on the Board of Governors at Thomas Telford School and the Black Country Consortium.
Commenting on his appointment, Mr Bowater says: "This club has always been a big part of my life and I hope to use my commercial experience in order to help the club move forward."

Wolves have announced a friendly reserve game with Liverpool at Molineux next month. The match is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 14th November with a 7pm kick-off.
Having not entered a reserve league this season, Terry Connor's team has played in a series of friendlies with the home games taking place at the Compton Park training ground on midweek days with daytime kick-offs.
However, the first match of the series against Premier League opposition has been scheduled for Molineux with an evening start, which should allow for a good number of supporters to be able to attend.
Admission prices for the game will be announced later but season ticket holders will be allowed in free of charge.

Former Wolves defender Ludo Pollet is bringing a team from Dunkirk to play at Compton on Wednesday 25th October, with a 1pm kick-off.
Pollet is now the reserve team coach with the French side and he rang Wolves coach Terry Connor to ask if he could bring his players across the Channel for a game.

Defender Gary Breen will not receive a ban for his sending off at Cardiff on Saturday after Wolves appeal was upheld by the Football Association.
He faced a three-match ban for appearing to elbow Steve Thompson.
But the FA's disciplinary commission reviewed video footage of the incident.
They also took into account a statement from Thompson, who claimed Breen's actions were accidental.

Breen said on WOW: "I'm glad about the decision but I still feel a little angry that I was sent off in the first place. It effectively feels like I've already served a one-match ban.
"A lot of supporters went down to Cardiff to follow the team and because of a wrong decision the game changed and we ended up being beaten 4-0.
"Had it stayed at 11 v 11 the result could have been different.
"I was sent off despite their player being gracious enough to support me at the time - which I very much appreciated.
"Now I'm just looking forward to helping the team get back to winning ways."

Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder has dismissed reports linking winger Alan O'Brien with a loan move to Wolves.
The 21-year-old, called up by Republic of Ireland for the games against Cyprus and the Czech Republic, has been on the fringes of the Newcastle first team.

Roeder told the club website: "I cannot afford to let any of our young players move out on loan.
"We are competing on four fronts this season, and we have a few injuries at the moment.
"It is no secret that we do not have the biggest squad, and I do not feel I can let any of my players leave at this moment in time."

Wolves lost 1-0 against Bristol City in another reserves friendly today Ashton Gate.
The only goal of the game was diverted in by Elliot Benyon just before half-time, Carl Ikeme was wrong footed when Benyon diverted a shot from Craig Woodthorn.

Bristol City: Federici, Orr (Wilson 77), Woodman, Fontainwe (Ribeiro 81), Lamb, Skuse (capt), Wring (Grubb 45), Noble, Benyon, Myrie-Williams (Klein-Davies 65), Artus (Ledgister 79).
Unused Sub: Ballard.
Wolves: Ikeme (Oakes 45), Riley, Jones, Clapham, Wheater, Mulgrew (Ijaha 74), Davies, Finkler (Melbourne 81), Clarke (Spalding 52), Bothroyd (capt) (Tulloch 84), Gobern.
Ref: S. Snartt.

Wolves confirmed this morning that they are appealing against the red card given to Gary Breen in Saturday's game against Cardiff.
The appeal has to be lodged with the FA by 1pm today, and any evidence must be submitted by 1pm tomorrow.

Club secretary Richard Skirrow said on WOW: "Gary Breen was adamant from the time of his dismissal that no intent was involved.
"He was demonstrating to the assistant referee that he himself had been caught in a challenge with Steve Thompson, and unfortunately, as he spread his arms out to describe the event to the official, Steve Thompson approached from behind and was caught in the face by Gary's arm.
"As has been commented on, Thompson himself tried to appeal on Gary's behalf.
"On viewing video evidence this morning the club felt an appeal was justified."

Mick McCarthy claimed Gary Breen's sending off was a "terrible decision" and had proved costly for his Wolves side as Coca-Cola Championship leaders Cardiff ran out 4-0 winners at Ninian Park.
Breen caught striker Steve Thompson with an arm after 23 minutes and City boss Dave Jones claimed the veteran defender "had to go".
But McCarthy believes Breen was demonstrating to a linesman how he had been fouled when Thompson was caught accidentally.
Cardiff went on to romp to victory with goals from Riccardo Scimeca, Malvin Kamara, Paul Parry and an own goal from Jody Craddock.

"Whether our player caught Thompson or not I don't know but it was never intentional and a terrible decision," he said.
"The sending off was a huge factor in the game as we were as good as Cardiff in the first 20 minutes. We were still as good as them with 10 men coming up to half-time but that first goal was a blow.
"At 1-0 we were still in with a shout and the Cardiff crowd weren't so happy but the second goal we conceded was just comical.
"Cardiff are a good side with two strong midfield players and a confident striker."