'The Wolves' Site News Page

Wolves boss Dave Jones praised his troops' display against an in-form Newcastle team but rued the lack of luck which prevented Wolves from climbing out of the relegation zone.

"I'm frustrated," said Jones. "We had a chance to win it.
"It was a hard game but we matched them in every department, and with a bit more luck, we could have won it.
"The lads at the back held the line well and they were on top of their strikers, the midfielders did their job and the forwards did theirs.
"But we have come away with one point rather than three and we just can't turn these draws into victories at the moment."

Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey has confirmed a female supporter was taken to New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton after a firework accident prior to the kick-off between Wolves and Newcastle.
He said a women in her mid-30s was treated for lacerations to the left side of her face and required stitches. Eight other people were treated for shock.
The fourth of five fireworks let off in the centre circle as the teams emerged from the tunnel careered into the family enclosure in the lower tier of the Billy Wright Stand. The fireworks were part of a display by Jubilee Fireworks, who have operated at Molineux with similar displays for the pst 2 years.

Jez Moxey said: "Our sympathies and apologies go with her as a Wolves fan who came to watch the game with her family and has had to go to hospital.
"We have sent a delegation with her to the hospital and will be talking to her. As far as we know she is still in hospital.
"Our stewards and medical staff were on the scene immediately and did an outstanding job.
"As far as I'm concerned there will be no more fireworks at Molineux as a result of this incident.
"A full investigation is underway and I am speaking here for both the club and the local council.''

26mins: GOAL, Bake gets his first of the season after a mistake by Woodgate and Given.
28mins: Yellow card, Butler.
30mins: Goal, Shearer equalises for Newcastle.
32mins: Yellow card, Bernard.
36mins: Yellow card, Naylor.
1 min added.
Half-Time: Wolves 1-1 Newcastle.
75mins: Wolves substitution, Miller on for Kennedy.
77mins: Newcastle substitution, Solano on for Bowyer and Ameobi on for Lua Lua.
2 mins added.
Full-Time: Wolves 1-1 Newcastle.

Wolves: 1

Oakes, Irwin, Naylor, Rae, Craddock, Butler, Blake, Kennedy, Camara, Andrews, Gudjonsson.

Subs: Miller (75), Newton, Silas, Cooper, Marshall.

Cards: Yellow: Butler, Naylor. Red: None.

Newcastle: 1

Given, Jenas, Dyer, Shearer, Speed, Hughes, Bramble, Lua Lua, Woodgate, Bowyer, Bernard.

Subs: Solano (77), Harper, Ameobi (77), Caldwell, Viana.

Cards: Yellow: Bernard. Red: None.

Attendance: 29,344

Newcastle United boss Bobby Robson has criticised the timing of the lunchtime encounter with Wolves on Saturday.
The Magpies toiled to a 1-0 second leg win over Basel on Thursday evening, and Robson admits some of his players are tired going into the scene of their FA Cup demise last term.
"It's a ridiculous turnaround," he complained. "We have no injuries but tiredness.
"Alan Shearer's got a cut, about two inches deep, which needs a bit of protection. It won't affect him as it's on his eyebrow and not in the middle of his forehead."
Jonathan Woodgate returns to the side to replace the banned Andy O'Brien at the heart of the defence.
"I was pleased to play the game without Woodgate, protecting him," Robson added.
"We won without him. He'll play on Saturday, of course as O'Brien can't play, and Woodgate will be fresh."
Lee Bowyer is available after missing the Basel victory through the last game of his European suspension.

Wolves give a late fitness test to midfielder Colin Cameron as the Scot bids to recover from a stomach injury.
Alex Rae is fit after overcoming a calf strain, and Mark Kennedy is also expected to be fit despite hurting his shoulder.
Hassan Kachloul, Paul Ince and Steffen Iversen also hope to be available for Dave Jones's side, as Wolves look to stretch an unbeaten run of five games at home in all competitions.
from www.skysports.com

Paul Gascoigne is leaving Wolves after deciding that he can no longer ‘cut it’ at the top level, he played in five reserve games for Wolves and scored one goal. Gazza arrived at Compton on Friday morning but instead of changing for training, he requested a meeting with manager Dave Jones.
The boss said on WOW: Gazza has decided that he can’t ‘cut it’ at Premier League level and he has gone away to think about what he wants to do. It was his decision and things remain very amicable between us.
"His decision now is to whether he wants to drop down a level, or whether he wants to look at other things. But that is up to him.
“He’s been fantastic to work with and has worked his socks off while he’s been training with us and I’d say that he was fit at the moment other than for a slight groin strain.
“He just feels that he falls short of what is needed and you have to give him a slap on the back for his honesty.
“He has gone up north to sort out a few personal things but if he wants to continue working on his fitness until something comes along, then the door is always open for him here.”

Skysports.com have revealed that Romanian striker Adrian Ilie is in talks with Wolves over a possible move to Molineux.
The former Valencia and Galatasaray ace is looking for a new club after leaving Alaves in the summer.

Ilie had been training with Blackburn Rovers earlier this week and impressed Graeme Souness, but the Rovers chief decided not to sign the skilful forward because he felt he was too similar to the strikers he already had.

Monte-Carlo based agent Willie McKay, who is brokering the deal, revealed that the player is discussing terms with Wolves over a short-term deal after he was recommended to Molineux chief Dave Jones by Souness.

"I am speaking to Dave Jones and Jez Moxey about a short-term deal until June," said McKay.
"Adrian did very well at Blackburn and Graeme Souness has spoken to Dave Jones and told him what a quality player he is.
"He just needs to prove his fitness and he is keen to try his luck in The Premiership.
"He is still only 29 and he feels he has his best years ahead of him.
"It is unfortunate that a number of clubs have asked to have him on trial because I fully expect a number of clubs will be keen to secure his services after he starts playing in The Premiership.
"It will be a short-term deal until June with Wolves and if he is happy at the club he will be more than happy to extend his stay."

Wolves striker George Ndah is expected to be out for a further three months after having an operation on his left knee. The striker had surgery to the same knee after the play-off final in May and has been slowly working his way through a rehabilitation programme which has included two spells at the special sports injury centre at Lilleshall. But he broke down again earlier this month and visited a specialist who felt surgery would be the best option to treatment the fresh injury.
Physio Barry Holmes said on WOW: "George had the operation on Tuesday which highlighted a weakness in one of the bones in his knee "They carried out a procedure which aims to improve the blood supply to the area by drilling into the weak bone. This is a fairly complex operation and in saying that we would expect George’s rehabilitation to be a matter of months as opposed to just a few weeks.
"It is unfortunate but it was the best course of action considering the nature of the injury. We’ll obviously need to monitor his progress but we expect George’s recovery to take around three months."

Wolves reserves lost to Everton yesterday 2-1.
Everton took the lead after 25 minutes through Osman who beat three defenders on a run along the 18-yard line before turning and hitting an unstoppable low left footed drive into the corner of the net.
Then after 28 minutes, Isaac Okoronkwo’s late challenge on Li Tie saw the referee pointing to the spot and Osman sent Marshall the wrong way with the penalty.
Ten minutes before half-time Silas’s skills got a goal back for Wolves. He jinked his way between Alexandersson and Steven Wynne before hitting a low precision cross that was stabbed home by Sturridge at the near post.
Okoronkwo limped off 10 minutes before the end leaving Wolves to play with just 10 men.

Wolves Reserves: Marshall, Flynn, Talbot, Townsend, Okoronkwo, Andrews, Kachloul (L. Clarke 45), Gascoigne (Walters 33), Sturridge (Jones 45), Silas, Cooper.
Unused Subs: Ikeme, Lowe.
Yellow Card: Okoronkwo 78.
Everton Reserves: Simonsen, Wynne, Pistone (Wilson 45), P. Clarke, Gerrard, Carsley, Alexandersson (Brown 64), Gemmill, Osman, Tie, Moogan.
Unused Subs: Lynch, Turner, Hughes.

Wolves have had their home match with Manchester United selected for live TV coverage on SKY TV’s pay-per-view channel. The match which is being played on Saturday 17th January 2004 has had the kick-off moved to 12.30pm.

Winger Mark Kennedy rejoined training this morning after undergoing treatment for a shoulder injury and a scan yesterday to ensure there was no serious damage to the joint.
Midfielder Alex Rae was also back in training this morning after suffering a calf injury at Goodison Park last Saturday. He had treatment yesterday and was deemed fit enough. Steffen Iversen is having a scan this afternoon to check there is no serious damage to his thigh and Paul Ince has undergone further treatment today to a sore knee.

The Wolves under 19s travelled to Merseyside on Saturday and beat Everton 2-1, Everton were previously unbeaten at home and second in the table.
Wolves took the lead with around an hour gone, Luke Bradley was fouled in the box and Gary Mulligan converted the penalty.
Ten minutes later Everton equalised with a deflected shot but with 12 minutes left Luke Bradley beat the keeper in a one-on-one from just inside the box.

The under 17s lost 2-0 against Leeds United. Just before half-time Leeds scored on the counter attack, the second came midway through the second half, when a speculative shot deceived the keeper.”

Four of Wolves first team players were in the treatment room this morning, Steffen Iversen, Alex Rae, Paul Ince and Mark Kennedy all with various knocks and strains from the match with Everton.
Iversen suffered a thigh injury and was substituted at half-time, Alex Rae suffered a calf injury and Paul Ince has a sore knee. Mark Kennedy picked up a shoulder injury which will require further investigation today.
Boss Dave Jones is hoping they will all be fit for next Saturday's match against Newcastle.

Wolves boss Dave Jones felt his side were punished for squandering possession too easily.
He said: "We are the sort of side in a league like this that we have to be playing at our maximum to survive. We cannot afford to play like that and make it easy for our opponents.
"No disrespect to Everton, but had we played like that and gave the ball away so easily against Manchester United or Arsenal, we would have been severely punished.
"We were sloppy and went chasing the game too much. We needed to stem what was going on and we did not. We set off OK in the game, but we conceded the ball cheaply over and over again.
"At this level we are a team who cannot be off the pace, we need to be 'at it' all the time. Last season we were playing in a division where we could be poor and get away with it, you cannot do that in the Premiership."
He added: "In that first half, Everton let us off the hook. In the second, when we did get one chance, we had to take it to give us a chance and to put them on the back foot and worry them. We were not able to do that."

15mins: Yellow card, Linderoth.
16mins: Goal, Radzinski puts Everton ahead from 22 yards out.
19mins: Goal, Rooney crossed and Kilbane headed in.
Half-Time: Everton 2-0 Wolves.
45mins: Wolves substitutions, Blake on for Iversen and Miller on for Newton.
65mins: Wolves substitution, Gudjonsson on for Rae.
72mins: Yellow card, Blake.
74mins: Yellow card, McFadden.
82mins: Everton substitutions, Osman on for McFadden and Jeffers on for Rooney.
87mins: Yellow card, Craddock.
Full-Time: Everton 2-0 Wolves.

Everton: 2

Martyn, Stubbs, Unsworth, Radzinski, Kilbane, Graverson, Rooney, Yobo, Linderoth, McFadden, Hibbert.

Subs: Jeffers (82), Simonsen, Nyarko, Clarke, Osman (82).

Cards: Yellow: Linderoth, McFadden. Red: None.

Wolves: 0

Oakes, Irwin, Naylor, Rae, Butler, Newton, Ince, Kennedy, Craddock, Camara, Iversen.

Subs: Blake (45), Miller (45), Clyde, Gudjonsson (65), Marshall.

Cards: Yellow: Blake, Craddock. Red: None.

Attendance: 40,190

Everton: are aiming to end their worst run of form under David Moyes as they prepare to welcome fellow strugglers Wolves to Goodison Park.
The Toffees have slipped into the bottom three after picking up just two points from the last 15 with only one goal scored, while Wolves lie second from bottom despite only losing one of their last six Premiership games.
Everton will be without Duncan Ferguson after his bust-up with Moyes in training earlier this week, with the former Newcastle hit-man not being considered in the first team plans.
The hosts will also be without long term injured stars Steve Watson, Alessandro Pistone, Scot Gemmill, Richard Wright and Lee Carsley.
Everton will look to England star Wayne Rooney, who will make his 50th Toffees appearance if he plays, to reproduce his form on the international stage for his club as they aim to solve their goalscoring problems.
Alan Stubbs and Li Tie are back in the squad after recovering from a bout of flu which ruled them out of the defeat to Blackburn.

Wolves: who are still searching for their first win on their travels in The Premiership, are missing Colin Cameron through injury.
Cameron was forced to miss Scotland's Euro 2004 play-off defeat with a stomach problem and he is to see a specialist about the injury.
Nathan Blake is back from his hamstring problem and is pushing Steffen Iversen for a starting place alongside Henri Camara up front.
On-loan goalkeeper Andy Marshall is expected to be on the bench as cover for Michael Oakes, with Matt Murray still sidelined.
from skysports.com

Wolves boss Dave Jones has told his Molineux directors that if he can only sign one player, then he wants a striker in the January transfer window.
Jones has already been linked with a move for 24-year-old Latvian Maris Verpakovskis, who had a short trial with Wolves during the summer.

But Polish strikers Grzegory Rasiak and Andrzeg Niedzielan have also been watched by coaches Terry Connor and Bobby Mimms in their game against Serbia & Montenegro.
The two men, who play for Groclin, would cost around £700,000, which is a sum within Wolves' budget.
Verpakovskis would cost more after his recent goal spree but is Jones' number one choice. The boss knows money is going to be tight but chief executive Jez Moxey has assured Jones they will do all they can to free up some transfer funds for squad strengthening.

from www.wolves.co.uk: Wolves' medical team has confirmed that Joleon Lescott is not expected to feature in this season's Premiership campaign. The defender underwent operations to both knees over the summer after struggling with cartilage problems towards the end of 2002/03. His recovery took longer than anticipated and Jo failed to return to fitness before the start of the season. The 21-year-old was set to return to training in October, only to suffer another setback which was later diagnosed as a completely different injury affecting his right knee. Joleon travelled out to Dr Richard Steadman's clinic in Colorado, America last week and underwent surgery to repair a tear in the cartilage. He has now returned to Molineux to once again begin his rehabilitation.

"We are very pleased with the way things went with the operation and it looks like the problem Joleon has been suffering with has now been sorted out, although we are keen to ensure his recovery takes all the time it needs," says physio Barry Holmes.
"As far as we can see at this moment in time, Joleon will not be playing this season. We are delighted with the way his knee is healing but the likelihood is that even if he is considered fit towards the end of the season, we will not risk him."
Manager Dave Jones adds: "This has been a very difficult time for Joleon. No player wants to spend long periods of time in the treatment room and it's especially hard for the boy given that he got so close to returning to full fitness before this latest injury.
"If it is that the surgical team and everyone else involved in Jo's rehabilitation can guarantee that he is 100 per cent recovered and fit before the end of the season then we'll look at things again but, as far as we are concerned, he probably won't be involved again until next term."

Joleon made 52 first team starts last season with his form leading him to make several appearances for England under 21s. The superb year was rounded off with him being named Wolves' Player of the Year shortly before Wanderers booked their place in the Premiership with the play-off final victory.

"After such a fantastic time last season it's really disappointing to probably not even get one game in this time," says Jo.
"It's really difficult having to sit out games when all the other lads are playing the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea. I've never had a serious injury before so it's even harder for me to come to terms with. But, the operation has gone well and I have to be positive if I am going to make sure I'm fit as soon as possible.
"I know it will take time to heal and I'll probably miss all of this season, which is really hard seeing as my ambition always was to play in the Premier League, but I'm sure the lads will all be doing everything they can to make sure we stay there."

All of Wolves players representing their Countries in the Euro 2004 Championships lost out in the play-offs last night.
Kenny Miller came on for Scotland in the 64th minute as a substitute in Amsterdam, Holland were already winning 4-0 on the night (three up on aggregate). But within five minutes of the striker’s introduction Holland scored two more to make it 6-1 on aggregate.

Nathan Blake came on in the 74th minute of Wales match at the Millennium Stadium against Russia. Vadim Evseev’s 22nd minute header put Russia through 1-0 on aggregate.

Steffen Iversen was left with a one match international ban after Norway’s 3-0 defeat against Spain in Oslo, so he will miss his country’s next competitive match. He was also booked in Spain’s 2-1 victory in Madrid on Saturday.

Wolves reserves were just nine minutes away from their first win of the season, but Birmingham equalised making it 2-2 at Solihall Borough’s Damson Park.
Wolves took the lead in the 27th minute through Gascoigne's well directed header following a probing cross from Keith Lowe. Wolves second came in the 44th minute, Lowe headed home a Silas corner.
In the 58th minute Birmingham pulled one back when Painter forced the ball over from point blank range after the Wolves defence had failed to clear a Motteram corner.
Nine minutes from time Birmingham drew level. Andy Marshall pushed away Carter’s low driven cross but Kirovski ran in at the far post to rifle the ball into the roof of the net.

Birmingham Reserves: Vaesen, Kenna, Williams (Courtney 90), Carter, Painter, Sadler, Sheppard (Kilkenny 68), Kirovski, Figueroa, Barrowman, Motteram.
Unused Subs: Hall, Till, Doyle.
Wolves Reserves: Marshall, Flynn, Talbot, Townsend, Lowe, Andrews, Vincent (Jones 79), Gascoigne (Walters 84), Sturridge, Silas, Cooper.
Unused Subs: Ikeme, Watson, Mulligan.

Defender Paul Butler has been charged with misconduct by the FA over incidents which followed Wolves match at Middlesbrough.
Butler is alleged to have used "aggressive behavior constituting improper conduct" after referee Steve Dunn and other match officials submitted their reports to the FA.
Wolves captain Paul Ince has also been asked to explain his post-match comments regarding Danny Mills and the refereeing of the game.
Mills actions during the game prompted an angry response from Wolves players, notably when he initially disputed the award of a free-kick following his clash with Wanderers full-back Lee Naylor.

The free-kick had actually been awarded to Boro, and some Wolves players were still involved in a melee with Mills when Gaizka Mendieta lashed in the first goal.
Wolves midfielder Alex Rae was sent off towards the end of a bad-tempered match at the Riverside - and the visitors' manager Dave Jones subsequently confirmed there was an incident in the players' tunnel after the game.
Butler, who is expected to request a personal hearing to answer the charges, could face a fine or a three-match ban if he is found guilty of misconduct.

Wolves club secretary Richard Skirrow said on WOW: "We have received official notification from the FA that Paul Butler has been charged relating to alleged events that followed Wolves' match with Middlesbrough.
"The player has now been notified and will have to submit his response to the charge within the next fortnight.
"We feel that it will be essential to both the player and club to have a personal hearing to answer the charge and to discuss not only the alleged post-match events but also certain incidents within the game that we feel contributed significantly to those events."

Good news for Joleon Lescott who travelled out to Colorado with Academy physio Rob Sharp on Wednesday for exploratory surgery by Doctor Richard Stedman. The operation has been hailed a success with doctors having righted the problem that has been the cause of his latest setback.
Boss Dave Jones said on WOW: "The operation went well. They found a crack within the cartilage, which is on the surface of the joint and that’s a fresh injury to the one that led to the boy having the two operations over the summer.
"The doctors have now repaired the cartilage and we’ll have to look at all the reports and everything when Jo and Rob come back.
"It’s not worth putting a time scale on how long Jo will be out again just yet. The most important thing is that the operation went well and once he’s back in our care we can then look at the X-rays and see how everything has gone. It’s only then that we can consider how long it’ll take Jo to get back into full training."

But bad more bad news for George Ndah, he is waiting to hear a consultant’s verdict as to whether or not he faces another operation. Ndah had surgery on his left knee days after the play-off final in May but as he went through the recovery process he suffered a further, separate, injury to the same knee.
“Obviously, I’m really down at the moment,” he said. “All I want to do is play but it just seems to be one thing after another.
“I don’t know exactly what the problem is with the knee except that it isn’t to do with the operation I had in the summer.
“The boys have been helping me keep my head up, but it’s difficult. More than at any other time in my career, now is the time that I want to be fit and competing for a place.”

Wolves boss David Jones has admitted that Wolves may have to emulate Birmingham and go on a spending spree in January if they are to survive in the Premiership.
Steve Bruce's side were in a similar position 12 months ago but then signed Christophe Dugarry, Matthew Upson, Jamie Clapham and Stephen Clemence in January.

Jones has helped to turn around a dismal start to the season by collecting nine points from the last six matches.
But he recognises that Wolves may have to undertake a similar kind of salvage operation in a couple of months time to ensure their spell in the top flight lasts more than one season.

He said: "Birmingham City needed to do something around last Christmas-time which they did and it saved them from going down - and we will probably need to do the same.
"What we need to be at that stage is in a position where we are able to attract players and still be in with a shout of staying up.
"At the moment we are fighting for our lives. We knew that would be the case. We've come back from a torrid start and the players have responded.
"Everything at the moment is going along fine - but we do need help and hopefully we'll get that in January to bolster what we've already got at the club.''

The Wolves Academy under 19s and under 17s were narrowly beaten by Sheffield teams on Saturday.
The under 19s lost 1-0 against Sheffield Wednesday. With only seven minutes left Wednesday got the winner after a goalmouth scramble.
The under 17s lost against Sheffield United. Wolves took the lead after 20 minutes Tom Stewart ran on to of a long clearance from Wayne Hennessy and knocked the ball into their area with his first touch and scored with a low left-foot shot with his second. Sheff Utd equalised just before half-time, one of their midfield players with a good individual goal.
United got the winner ten minutes from time following a snapshot that crept in through a forest of legs.

Wolves young midfielder JJ Melligan is going out on loan again, to Doncaster Rovers from Monday. He recently returned from a four-week loan with Kidderminster. The third division side have signed him for just over a month.
Cambridge United also expressed interest but JJ chose the move to Doncaster. He will be playing for the third division club up to and including the home game against Swansea on Friday 19th December.

On-loan goalkeeper Andy Marshall has arrived at Molineux today for his first training session, the 28-year-old signed the official papers earlier today.
Boss Dave Jones said on WOW: "We were lucky to get him.
"He’s a good acquisition. He’s experienced, hungry and wants to do well. His being here creates competition and it’s down to Andy now how far he goes while he’s with us.
"It’s early days as he’s only linked up with us today so, we can’t say too much about how he’s settled in and all that but, we all know what he’s capable of doing. We saw him for two years at Norwich and Ipswich and obviously liked what we saw.
"Bringing him in now means that I’ve not got to find a goalkeeper who is out of contract and I’m happy to say that he’s fit and ready to play."
20-year-old keeper Saul Deeney was having a trial with Wolves, but with the arrival of Marshall he has returned to Notts County.
Jones added "Saul has gone back but we will be monitoring him.
"We needed a goalkeeper who could go into the first team straight away if needed and that would have been unfair on the youngster. He did well, despite getting sent off in the game for us the other night, and we’ll now be keeping tabs on him."

Wolves permanent goalkeeping target Carlos Kameni has revealed he has spoken to Paris Saint Germain regarding a winter transfer, but that Molineux remains his preferred destination.
The youngster recently admitted he is keen to revive the transfer and Molineux boss Dave Jones is still on Kameni's trail.

Jones is expected to renew his efforts to sign the teenager during January's transfer window but could face stiff competition from PSG.
"It is true we had a talk with Francis Graille but it was really informal," commented Kameni.
"There is nothing special.
"It seems a lot of people are attracted by me but I can't see anything serious."

Also back at Molineux from his three-month loan at Stoke City is midfielder Keith Andrews. He joined Stoke in August after returning to fitness from the ankle injury he sustained during the FA Cup match at Southampton last season. But with illness and injury ruling several of Dave Jones midfielders out of action over recent weeks the boss decided against allowing Keith to remain at the Britannia Stadium for the rest of the season, for now.

Paul Gascoigne is expected to return to training tomorrow after he was replaced at half-time in yesterday's reserve game feeling a sore groin. A day's rest is expected to alleviate the problem.
Colin Cameron has been withdrawn from the Scottish squad that is preparing for the Euro 2004 play-off against Holland. He is on his way back to Wolverhampton after the medical people sent him home.
He said "I'm absolutely gutted as the two games would have been the biggest internationals of my career.
"I've had two scans that didn't show anything but I'm still feeling pain. All I can hope now is that I can be fit for the Everton match."

Wolves reserves lost 3-0 against Blackburn Rovers at The Bucks Head, Telford. To make things worse trialist keeper Saul Deeney was sent-off in the closing stages.
Blackburn took the lead after 26 minutes, Jonathan Douglas capitalised on a defensive lapse and clipped the ball past Deeney. They got their second six minutes later, Johnson latched onto the rebound after Deeney had saved his first shot and drilled the ball just inside the far post.
With eight minutes remaining, Deeney was sent-off after upending Douglas who had won possession from Clingan and tried to take the ball round the keeper. Danns easily beat replacement Carl Ikeme from the penalty spot.

Wolves Reserves: Deeney, Flynn, Bradley, Lowe, Townsend, Clingan, Melligan, Gascoigne (Gobern 45, Walters 72) , Sturridge (Ikeme 82), Silas, Cooper.
Unused Subs: Jones, Goodhead.
Red Card: Deeney.
Blackburn Reserves: Enckelman, Peers, Johansson, Danns, Short (Fitzgerald 75), Martin Taylor (Nelson 61), Watt (Harkins 80), Donnelly, Johnson, Douglas, Morgan.
Unused Subs: Renton, Michael Taylor.
Yellow Cards: Johansson, Danns, Watt, Douglas.

Wolves are set to sign Ipswich Town keeper Andy Marshall on a 28-day loan next Monday. Wolves have been given permission to sign the keeper to provide cover for Michael Oakes whilst Matt Murray recovers from a stress fracture to his foot.
Marshall will be available up to and including the game at Aston Villa on 14th December. If Murray hasn’t recovered by that stage, Wolves are expected to apply for an extension to the loan.

Wolves under 19s lost 3-0 against League leaders Manchester City at the weekend, and the under 17s lost 2-0 to Middlesbrough. 15-year-old goalkeeper Luke Tilt was brought into the under 19's team with Carl Ikeme on first team duty and under 17s keeper Wayne Hennessy away on international duty with Wales. Man City broke the deadlock after 15 minutes when Wolves failed to cut out a cross. The visitors secured their victory with two goals in the final ten minutes.
The under 17s went behind after 20 minutes, Boro clinched the win just minutes before the final whistle with a second goal.

Investigations into Wolves defender Joleon Lescott’s ongoing knee problems has revealed that he has suffered a new injury. He will now have to undergo an investigative operation in America on Friday. World renowned sports injury specialist Richard Stedman saw Lescott in London last week and ordered more scans of the England under 21 player’s right knee. Lescott had surgery to both knees in the summer and recently suffered what was thought to be a setback with the rehabilitation of his right leg. However, the scans – which were reviewed by a clinic in San Francisco – showed that the problem was a new one. The player will travel out to Dr Stedman’s Colorado clinic on Wednesday.

Wolves boss Dave Jones was honoured at the Midland Football Writers Association annual dinner last night in recognition of his efforts in taking Wolves into the Premier League. Jones was accompanied by members of his backroom team and chief executive Jez Moxey.
He said on WOW: "It is an honour to have picked up this award and I am pleased for everybody associated with the club.
"It was a very enjoyable evening laid on by the Football Writers Association and while I was happy to have just been invited, it came as a very nice surprise when I realised that I had won an award – even though I almost missed it.
"I popped out to the toilet and on my way back in I walked halfway across the room before I realised that they were talking about me! I think it gave everyone a laugh.
"I genuinely thought that Leicester’s Micky Adams had won the award outright because he took them up automatically but, it is nice that we both got something in the end.
"It is always good to be given something and it’s an honour that doesn’t come along very often so, I’ll accept it gratefully as a record of what everyone at the club put in last season."

Chief executive Jez Moxey will be meeting with manager Dave Jones and chief scout George Foster this afternoon to discuss possible transfer targets. Wolves are currently working to a set budget which looks unlikely to change unless new owners are in place before the transfer window reopens in January.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis has said he is hoping to extend Wolves midfieder Keith Andrews loan at the Britannia Stadium.
Andrews loan spell ended on Saturday and speaking after the Potters' 3-1 defeat at Cardiff, Pulis told the club's official website: "We'll speak to Keith and Wolves this week and try and sort out another deal. I'd like to keep him."
Stoke have now got a two-week break before their next game, at home to Bradford on 22nd November, and Pulis added: "The lads will be in on Monday as we start preparing.
"We are all determined to get back up the table and the sooner the better."

Wolves manager Dave Jones praised the performance of striker Steffen Iversen who rescued a point for his side in a hard-fought derby at Molineux.
Iversen produced his most convincing showing since his summer move from Tottenham to cancel out Mikael Forssell's fifth goal in eight games for the visitors.
The Norway international could also have snatched an injury-time winner but failed to make proper contact with Henri Camara's low cross.

Jones said: "That was Steffen's best performance for us and he led the line brilliantly. He chased everything and worked his socks off like everybody else.
"It's credit to him because he has taken a bit of flak from certain goals but today he's earned his goal and broke things up for others and he's helped one or two players.
"He's okay. He's a good professional. He's a hard-working boy and it would have capped his performance by putting that chance away at the end but it wasn't to be."

Jones added: "I am pleased with a point. Everyone is going to pick on the last chance that Steffen had but I thought we had other chances to get our noses in front.
"But full credit to them. They've come back from being a goal down against the run of play a little bit. But they had spells when they bossed it and so did we and it was a typical hard-fought derby.
"We know we can get stronger with getting our players back from injury, we're on the shirt tails of everyone and everybody is doing their bit."
from sportinglife.com

8mins: Yellow card, Irwin.
1 minute added.
Half-Time: Wolves 0-0 Birmingham.
48mins: Goal, Forssell puts Birmingham ahead.
56mins: Wolves substitution, Newton on for Miller.
62mins: Yellow card, Dugarry.
65mins: GOAL, Iversen equalises after a goal mouth scramble.
79mins: Birmingham substitution, Lazaridis on for Dugarry.
86mins: Yellow card, Ince. Should have been a congratulations card for bringing down Savage!!
87mins: Wolves substitution, Clyde on for Irwin.
87mins: Birmingham substitution, John on for Hughes.
2 minutes added.
Full-Time: Wolves 1-1 Birmingham.

Wolves: 1

Oakes, Naylor, Craddock, Butler, Irwin, Kennedy, Rae, Ince, Camara, Iversen, Miller.

Subs: Clyde (87), Newton (56), Gudjonsson, Sturridge, Ikeme.

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

Birmingham: 1

Taylor, Clapham, Cunningham, Upson, Johnson, Hughes, Clemence, Savage, Dunn, Dugarry, Forssell.

Subs: Bennett, Cisse, John (87), Lazaridis (79), Tebily.

Cards: Yellow: Dugarry. Red: None.

Attendance: 28,831

A local West Midlands derby at Molineux for the first time in nearly 20 years should generate a terrific atmosphere for the live Sky Premiership Plus cameras on Saturday lunchtime.

Wolves are looking to bounce back from a 2-0 defeat at Middlesbrough but have at least been boosted by the news that Alex Rae has had the first of his two yellow cards rescinded.
Dave Jones is also smiling after finally receiving permission to bring in a loan keeper to cover for Michael Oakes but the former Aston Villa shot-stopper is expected to start against Birmingham with rookie Carl Ikeme on the bench.

Birmingham welcome back Robbie Savage after his Achilles troubles while Christophe Dugarry will play despite complaining of a niggling injury in midweek.
Damien Johnson is also available after recovering from a hamstring strain. from skysports.com

Wolves have been given permission to sign a goalkeeper by The Premier League, they side were originally denied permission to sign a new keeper to cover for Michael Oakes. But, it has since been confirmed that Matt Murray has fractured his foot and so now Jones can bring in extra cover. Youth keeper Carl Ikeme has been being used as back-up and he will again be on the bench for Saturday's clash at Molineux.

Boss Dave Jones said: "We have been given permission to sign a goalkeeper for 28 days.
"What we will have to do at the end of that period is reapply for permission again.
"We are speaking to a couple of people but it could be difficult.
"We are looking mostly in this country and we will not be bringing in anyone before tomorrow's game against Birmingham City.
"What we have decided is to get through tomorrow and then have a really good go at finding a keeper. We have been turned down already by one club."

Referee Steve Dunn has withdrawn the first of the two yellow cards that he showed Alex Rae at Middlesbrough last weekend.
The official viewed a video of the incident which led to the first caution and it showed that the Wolves midfielder made no contact as he challenged Boro’s Danny Mills.
This means that Rae should now be available for the match at Everton in a fortnight’s time after he was originally scheduled to serve a one match ban, which he will have to serve if he gets one more yellow card taking his total to 5.

Defender Joleon Lescott is back in Wolverhampton this morning after traveling to London to see world renown sports injury specialist Dr Richard Stedman, he normally operates out of a clinic in Colorado but saw Lescott to assess his ongoing knee problem yesterday.
Boss Dave Jones said on WOW: “He told us he wanted to do more scans and then have them reviewed by some of his colleagues in San Francisco.
“It will take a few days to arrange this, so we won’t be deciding how we are going to proceed with Jo until all the reports are complete.”
Goalkeeper Matt Murray has had it confirmed that the ‘hot spot’ which showed up on a scan of his foot last week is a stress fracture, which means he will be out of action for at least four to five weeks. Wolves will now have to re-approach the Premier League for permission to bring in another keeper under the special circumstances.
Midfielder Colin Cameron is due back at the training camp today having visited a specialist in France to check on his stomach muscle injury. Dean Sturridge and Kevin Cooper are both back in training, although Cooper is not considered fit enough for selection on Saturday.
Nathan Blake is unlikely to figure as he is still feeling his hamstring. Isaac Okoronkwo also has hamstring problems and has been for a scan. Also still on the injury list is George Ndah, who is being sent to Lilleshall for two weeks of rehab.

Wolves have made an appeal to fans attending matches at Molineux to refrain from standing up for long periods of the game. The Premier League is launching a campaign to raise awareness of the problems persistent standing at matches can cause for clubs involved. Molineux is licensed as an all-seater stadium which means that people standing for long periods during a game is causing the club to be in breach of safety guidelines.
Club secretary Richard Skirrow explained on WOW: "The campaign is aimed at making fans aware that they cannot and should not stand up during matches.
"The only exception to this is during key moments, such as a goal. No one expects fans to sit down at all times but there is a problem with people persistently standing.
"People may have heard that Trafford Council issued an ultimatum to Manchester United supporters stating that Old Trafford faces part closure if people continue to stand. Charlton recently restricted the amount of United supporters travelling to The Valley because of safety concerns surrounding fans standing and all clubs face the same warnings if similar problems occur.
"We haven’t got to the stage where whole stands are on their feet but, we acknowledge that the problem area is certain groups within the Jack Harris Stand. Most fans stick to the guidelines but there’s always one or two.
"It is dangerous to stand for a prolonged period and it is also selfish because it means people behind can’t see. Of course, it is also in breach of our licensing agreement and leaves us open to action from the Football Licensing Authority."

Wolves striker Henri Camara has called for the African Nations Cup to be switched to a different time of year to avoid clashing with important domestic games.
The Senegal international will play in Saturday's local derby match at Birmingham before flying home for a friendly against the Ivory Coast.
He will then have to return to Tunisia for the competition proper in January and could be away for over a month if Senegal go all the way to the final.
With two Carling Cup and two FA Cup games in that period, Camara could miss up to eight matches.

Camara said on WOW: "With a lot of the best African players now with clubs in Europe I don't think the competition should be played in January. The organisers should do it at a different time.
"It is very important to me to play for my country and I am proud to be selected.
"But if Wolves are near the bottom of the league when I leave I shall be worried. If they are in the middle of the table I will go away happy."

Wolves young midfielder JJ Melligan is set to return to Molineux after spending a one-month loan spell with Kidderminster Harriers, although he could return for a second month.
The midfielder’s loan was due to expire on Sunday but he missed Kidderminster’s 2-2 draw with Cambridge United on Saturday after returning home to Ireland for personal reasons. He made five appearances for the club during his second spell with Harriers, scoring one goal.
Wolves’ club secretary Richard Skirrow said on WOW: "JJ will come back to us when he returns from Ireland and then a decision as to whether he may return to Kidderminster will be made after that."

Wolves visit to Arsenal in the fourth round of the Carling Cup is now on Tuesday 2nd December.
The change has come because Manchester City's Carling Cup date at Tottenham has been switched to Wednesday 3rd December following an appeal by the Blues to ease their hectic schedule.
To avoid congestion in north London, Arsenal have agreed to bring their match forward.

Three of Wolves main squad players have needed scans this week, but at least two of the three are expected to be fit for the weekend. Michael Oakes (back), Alex Rae (groin) and Colin Cameron (stomach) have all undergone tests.
The latest news from the training ground is that Wolves only senior goalkeeper Michael Oakes will be doing just light training this week but should be fine for Saturday, as should Alex Rae who is set to return full training on Thursday.
Colin Cameron is having treatment from a specialist and will return for assessment at Compton tomorrow. It’s considered too early to predict whether he’ll make the squad for Saturday’s match against Birmingham at Molineux. Cameron is hoping that he will be ready to return to action in time for his nation's decisive double-header against the Dutch. Scotland's first leg against Holland is on 15th November and Cameron now faces a race against time to declare himself ready to aid his country's cause.
Also Matt Murray is seeing a specialist tomorrow evening to review the scans he has had last week on his injured foot.

Wolves reserves slipped to a narrow defeat against West Brom in front of a near 4,000 crowd at Kidderminster tonight.
In the 31st minute Gascoigne’s foul on Sakiri earned him a booking and led to Albion taking the lead. The Macedonian had to have treatment before he could continue but when he got up he took the free-kick himself and curled the ball round the wall into the net.
Wolves equalised 2 minutes before half-time, Silas fed Kennedy on the left then the Portuguese midfielder continued his run and when Kennedy’s cross bounced of a defender into his path, he advanced into the box and rammed the ball home from 12-yards.
Two minutes into the second half Albion took the lead again. Deeney completely missed his kick as he ran from his area to clear a through ball and Jack Cudworth had the simplest of tasks in finding the back of the unprotected net.

West Brom Reserves: Murphy (Crane 45), J. Chambers, Dyer, A. Chambers, Berthe, Moore, Volmer, Wallwork, Brown (Cudworth 45), Sakiri (Midworth 45), Marshall.
Unused Subs: Adams, Sherwood.
Yellow Cards: Wallwork, Marshall.
Wolves Reserves: Deeney, Goodhead, Bradley, Clyde, Okoronkwo (Townsend 58), Clingan, Newton (Vincent 52), Gascoigne, Jones (Mulligan 78), Silas, Kennedy.
Unused Subs: Ikeme, Watson.
Yellow cards: Clingan, Gascoigne.

Wolves Academy under 19s beat Stoke 7-1 at Compton Park on Saturday and on an adjacent pitch, the under 17s lost 3-1 against Manchester United

Mark Davies opened the scoring for Wolves under 19's after 25 minutes with a fine individual goal. He beat two defenders before firing into the far corner of the net. Davies completed his hat-trick in the second half, Matthew Watson also got two, Matthew Barnes-Homer got one with a header and John Steele scored the goal of the game with a terrific strike into the top corner.

Tom Stewart put Wolves under 17's ahead after 12 minutes with a well taken goal, a left-footed shot across the keeper.
But Wolves gave away a daft goal after losing possession in the United half and getting caught on the break. Then they went behind after giving the ball away cheaply once again, Man Utd got their third just before the end.

The Football Association look likely to conduct an inquiry into an incident in the Middlesbrough tunnel at the end of the match against Wolves.
Referee Steve Dunn is understood to be filing a report to English football's governing body.
Tempers flared after Boro recorded a 2-0 victory against Wolves, who had Alex Rae dismissed in the final minute.
Wolves manager Dave Jones confirmed there was trouble in the tunnel after the game.

Middlesbrough went ahead in controversial circumstances when Gaizka Mendieta rifled home an unstoppable shot into the corner.
Juninho had played a short free kick to Mendieta while team-mate Danny Mills was clashing with Lee Naylor.

Jones said: "Certain things happened all over the pitch and it spilled over into on the tunnel.
"Of course I am upset because I want to know why the players are so angry with what's gone on.
"It's a free kick, the referee's given it and my captain and one or two of my players have gone across to try and stop the two full backs having a fight.
"The referee's allowed a quick free kick, so what do I do? Do I have a go at my players for switching off or do I have a go at my players for trying to stop a fight.
"Mills has thrown the ball down. I think he thought the free kick had gone against him or was he trying to do something else.
"We've been punished for up until then I didn't see how they were going to score. The crowd were starting to get at them.
"Things have gone on out there that we'll have to have a look at for we are trying to stop it.
"It was a niggly game and certain individuals out there need to take a look at themselves. Everything seemed to be going our way then all hell broke loose."

About the tunnel incident, Jones said: "You've got to ask certain parties who were involved and why.
"The referee's got to report it and once he's done that I will have to my observations about what went on.
"I have to do it with my players and they will have to do it too.
"I was in the middle of it somewhere. You don't get a reaction from players as badly as that unless something has gone on.
"That's why both sets of players have to consider what went on in there."

Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren, however, said he saw nothing of the incident involving Mills and nothing in the tunnel. From sportinglife.com

42mins: Yellow card, Mendieta.
Half-Time: Middlesbrough 0-0 Wolves.
45mins: Middlesbrough substitution, Christie on for Nemeth.
46mins: Yellow card, Gudjonsson.
58mins: Yellow card, Rae.
61mins: Wolves substitution, Kennedy on for Miller.
62mins: Middlesbrough substitution, Juninho on for Doriva.
73mins: Goal, Mendieta scores after Mills took a quick free-kick.
74mins: Middlesbrough substitution, Greening on for Maccarone.
77mins: Wolves substitution, Silas on for Gudjonsson.
83mins: Goal, Juninho scores from Mendieta's cross.
88mins: Red card, Alex Rae sent off, second yellow card.
Full-Time: Middlesbrough 2-0 Wolves.

Middlesbrough: 2

Schwarzer, Cooper, Mills, Southgate, Doriva, Zenden, Mendieta, Boateng, Nemeth, Maccarone, Queudrue.

Subs: Nash, Davies, Christie (45), Greening (74), Juninho (62).

Cards: Yellow: Mendieta. Red: None.

Wolves: 0

Oakes, Irwin, Naylor, Rae, Craddock, Butler, Ince, Gudjonsson, Miller, Camara, Iversen.

Subs: Kennedy (61), Clyde, Silas (77), Cameron, Ikeme.

Cards: Yellow: Gudjonsson, Rae. Red: Rae.

Attendance: 30,305.