News Index

Archived News:

30th November 2007

Team News

Wolves: will be without Michael Kightly as he has ligament damage and centre-back Jody Craddock is a doubt after suffering a groin strain.
Seyi Olofinjana (groin) could return, while striker Jay Bothroyd could feature after his thigh problems.

Preston: boss Alan Irvine could recall on-loan striker Paul Gallagher or Andy Carroll to their starting line-up.
Irvine will again be without goalkeeper Wayne Henderson (back) and defender Billy Jones (hamstring).

Kightly Back At Christmas

Wolves midfielder Michael Kightly has his eyes on a Christmas return after admitting the first real injury setback of his professional career left him devastated.
Kightly will be missing for at least another fortnight after damaging ankle ligaments against West Brom in last weekend's Black Country derby.
It is the first setback in his career which has been one steady upwards curve since he joined at the start of the year.

Kightly told the Express & Star: "I can't describe in words how gutted I was with the injury because I want to play as many games as I can and we're in a good position at the moment.
"My first thought was that I might be ready for Colchester and then after 48 hours it looked a little bit worse.
"I was a bit upset on Tuesday because that was when we thought it might be more serious, but I had the scan on Wednesday which wasn't as bad as we feared."

29th November 2007

Fixture Update

Wolves away match against current League leaders Watford is to be shown live on Sky TV.
The game at Vicarage Road on Saturday 2nd February, will now kick-off at 5.20pm instead of the scheduled 3pm start.

28th November 2007

Wolves 1-0 Colchester

32mins: GOAL, Elliott heads Wolves into the lead.
33mins: Colchester substitution, Connolly on for Balogh (injured).
Half Time: Wolves 1-0 Colchester.
63mins: Colchester substitution, McLeod on for Watson.
68mins: Wolves substitution, Keogh on for Eliiott.
73mins: Colchester substitution, Sheringham on for Lisbie.
87mins: Wolves substitution, Gray on for Craddock (injured).
Full Time: Wolves 1-0 Colchester.

27th November 2007

Team News

Wolves: boss Mick McCarthy has an injury headache ahead of the visit of the U's, with Michael Kightly, Seyi Olofinjana and Jay Bothroyd all rated as doubtful.
The trio were injured during Sunday's draw with West Brom, but Andy Keogh (hernia) returns and Freddy Eastwood will start the Molineux game up front.

Colchester: will be without defender Pat Baldwin as he serves a suspension.
Boss Geraint Williams has an otherwise fully-fit squad to choose from, with Teddy Sheringham pushing for a recall.

26th November 2007

Match Reaction

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy insisted his side were good value for a point despite only a late penalty save from Wayne Hennessey denying West Brom the Black Country bragging rights at The Hawthorns.
McCarthy said: "I'm pleased in two ways, pleased that we have got a point from it, I'm more pleased at the way we played. It was a real solid, mature performance.
"It's a difficult place to play, they have a good home record and they are a very good side.
"Tony (Mowbray), to his credit, got them playing some great stuff but I think we matched them. They had a great spell in the first half but I thought we had by far and away the better of it in the second half."
The visitors may have enjoyed more of the possession in the second period having been on the back foot for much of the first but they still had Hennessey, who has proven to be more a more than able deputy for Matt Murray, to thank come the final whistle.
"Arguably the best save was from Teixeira, with the penalty he has guessed right and saved it, but the other one was a better save, it was fantastic," said McCarthy, whose side climbed up to fifth as a result. "I think his back four deserve a pat on the back as well because other than that I don't think he has made that many saves but he made two vital ones."

25th November 2007

West Brom 0-0 Wolves

Half Time: West Brom 0-0 Wolves.
58mins: Yellow card, Olofinjana.
61mins: Wolves substitution, Eastwood on for Kightly (injured).
63mins: Yellow card, Teixeira.
64mins: Wolves substitution, Elliott on for Bothroyd (injured).
68mins: West Brom substitution, Beattie on for Brunt.
76mins: West Brom substitution, MacDonald on for Teixeira.
82mins: West Brom substitution, Bednar on for Miller (injured).
84mins: Collins fouls Beattie, penalty given.
85mins: Hennessey saves Gera's penalty.
Full Time: West Brom 0-0 Wolves.

23rd November 2007

Team News

West Brom: will be without three key players in the Black Country derby.
Veteran striker Kevin Phillips is still suffering with a knee problem while James Morrison and Martin Albrechtsen have medial ligament damage.

Wolves: Striker Freddy Eastwood (knee) is a doubt, but Stephen Elliott could return after a hamstring injury.
There will be a late decision on Andy Keogh, who is recovering from hernia surgery and defender Gary Breen remains sidelined with a knee problem.

22nd November 2007

Loans Update

Wolves have loaned out youngsters Mark Salmon and Liam Hughes to Port Vale and Bury respectively.
The pair have signed deals until 5th January and both have been given clearance to play in the FA Cup second-round for their new teams
Midfielder Salmon, 19, joins Wolves team-mate Keith Lowe at Port Vale.
Striker Hughes, 19, is also yet to make a senior appearance for Wolves but has scored eight times in the reserves this season has joined Bury.

Wolves full-back Jamie Clapham has returned to Molineux after his loan spell at Leeds ended, but has not ruled out a return to Elland Road.
The former Ipswich left-back made 15 appearances for the League One side and refused to rule out a possible return but wished all at Elland Road the best of luck in the meantime.

20th November 2007

Friendly Defeat

From www.wolves.co.uk

Stephen Elliott staked his claim for a return to the Wolves first team with a goal in a 3-2 friendly defeat against Aston Villa. The game was played behind closed doors at the Birmingham club's Bodymoor Heath training ground this morning.
There was also the chance for several of the squad to get in some much needed match action following injury lay-offs and the international break.

Wolves took a second minute lead through Mark Davies, who converted from close range after Jay Bothroyd had flicked on Mark Little's low centre.
Villa hit back with a 20-yard free-kick from Shaun Maloney and an angled shot from Tobias Mikaellson but Graham Stack was well positioned to deal with both efforts.
Villa keeper Stuart Taylor made a tremendous save in the 19th minute when he parried a fierce shot from Davies after Stephen Elliott's cross had not been cleared by the home defence.
Patrick Berger fired narrowly wide before the hosts drew level in the 24th minute when Mikaellson netted from two-yards out after a short centre from Berger.
Seconds later Isiah Osbourne ran through the middle and found himself with just Stack to beat but he wasted the opportunity by shooting wide.
A fine flowing move involving Darron Gibson and Davies ended with a 20-yard drive from Darren Potter that flew inches wide and, when play switched to the opposite end, Berger was wide of the target from a good position.
Potter was close again after a Bothroyd corner had been headed out to the edge of the Villa box. The Molineux midfielder connected well and his shot was goalbound until it struck a defender and was deflected behind for another corner.
But Wolves regained the ascendancy in the 37th minute when Elliott's first time shot from Bothroyd's centre beat Taylor who got a hand to the ball but couldn't keep it out.
Just before the break Stack made a fine save from Muloney.

Half-Time: Villa 1 Wolves 2

Wolves made a triple substitution for the start of the new half with Darren Ward, Liam Hughes and Mark Salmon replacing Jody Craddock, Bothroyd and Karl Henry respectively.
And there was an early chance for Hughes but he shot over the bar after good work from Salmon on the left.
In the 52nd minute Villa equalised for a second time when Berger's corner was headed towards the net by Mikaellson with Chris Herd applying the finishing touch with his head from virtually on the line.
On the hour mark, Marlon Harewood grabbed what turned out to be the winning goal with a close range finish to Osbourne's cross.
Three minutes later Ashley Hemmings replaced Elliott and, with his first touch, the youngster headed narrowly wide of the far post after Mark Little had supplied the cross.
Harewood wasn't far off with a low shot and Stack made a fine save from home substitute Zoltan Stieber whilst Gibson's free-kick from 22-yards was well held by Taylor.
Wolves' efforts from an entertaining contest warranted a share of the spoils but Villa held out for the win.

Wolves: Stack, Little, Gray (Spalding 72), Potter (Ijaha 72), Edwards, Craddock (D. Ward 45), Davies, Henry (Salmon 45), Elliott (Hemmings 63), Gibson, Bothroyd (Hughes 45). Unused sub: Lumley.

Bennett Stays Out On Loan

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has agreed to allow midfielder Elliott Bennett to extend his loan spell at Crewe until the new year.
Bennett signed on a one-month loan in October but will now stay on at Gresty Road until 3rd January.
His last match would have been this weekend's trip to Nottingham Forest.
The 18-year-old, who has made two appearances for Wolves first-team, scored the winning goal for Crewe against Port Vale on 6th November.

19th November 2007

Internationals

Kevin Foley's ankle injury has forced his withdrawal from the Republic of Ireland's B squad, but Wolves boss Mick McCarthy is hopeful that the defender will be fit for the weekend's clash with West Brom.
Foley was due to link up with Stephen Ward for the game against Scotland at Airdrie on Tuesday evening with Molineux team-mate Neill Collins in contention for a place in the Scottish team.

Freddy Eastwood suffered a knee injury in Wales two all draw with Ireland at the Millennium Stadium.
Eastwood was replaced after an hour of the game whilst Wayne Hennessey played for the whole of the match. Darren Potter was a Republic substitute for the final three minutes of the game.

Seyi Olofinjana took no part in Nigeria's 1-0 defeat against Australia at Craven Cottage.

Representing the club at under 21 level were Charlie Mulgrew who played for all but the final few minutes in Scotland's 4-0 victory over Slovenia in Nova Gorica, and Stephen Gleeson who took part in the Republic of Ireland's 1-0 reversal against Montenegro in Podgorica.

18th November 2007

January Transfers

Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey has confirmed that the club will spend in January, but insists they will take care in the transfer market.
Manager Mick McCarthy has been given the go-ahead to add to the squad after transfer strategy was agreed during a recent board meeting at Molineux.
But, noting transfer sprees that have failed in the past, Moxey cautioned against supporters expecting the club to abandon its measured recruiting of the last 18 months.
He told the Express & Star: "There's an acceptance with the board and the manager that we would like to continue to strengthen the team and we will try to do that in January. There's no doubt we as a club are pleased with what's happened so far. We think Mick is doing a great job.
"I'm not going to start talking money and I'm not going to start talking about specific targets. But we will try to carry on as we have been doing, strengthening certain positions with the right players."

16th November 2007

Edwards Injury Update

Wolves defender Rob Edwards is hoping to be back in contention for a first-team place soon after stepping up his recovery from a knee injury.
Edwards played the full 90 minutes of Wednesday's reserve game with Bradford ahead of schedule and is confident of being back in first-team action after the international break.
He said: "I've had problems with my right knee for a few months but everything seems to be fine now.
"I injured it during a training session back in April and then took a whack on it in the reserve game at Walsall in September.
"It's been a frustrating time for me but I played 90 minutes against Bradford and there was no reaction whatsoever.
"When the international break is over we face several games in a short space of time and hopefully I can play a part in keeping us at the top end of the table."

15th November 2007

Davies Injury Update

Midfielder Mark Davies played 90 minutes for the reserves on Wednesday evening, his first full game for six months.
The midfielder hurt his knee in a pre-season friendly against Aston Villa in 2006 and the injury, along with a bout of glandular fever, restricted his first team appearances last season to 10 from the substitutes bench.
But the knee was still causing him problems and it required surgery in the summer.

Davies explained on WOW: "I had a cleaning out operation on the knee in July. It feels fine now and I'm just glad to be playing again.
"Last night's game was the first I have completed since May when I played for the England under 19s against Turkey. Before that it was for Wolves in a reserve friendly at Charlton.
"The intention yesterday was for me to play as long as possible but I felt fine so I stayed on.
"I was pleased with the way it went and it was nice to finish things off with a goal. I felt a bit stiff this morning otherwise there's no problems.
"Obviously, my main aim is to get my match fitness back again and playing for 90 minutes against Bradford reserves was a useful exercise.
"Now I'm looking to build on it and hopefully, before too much longer, be pushing for a first team place."

14th November 2007

Evans Joins Bolton

Wolves academy manager Chris Evans is leaving his post after 17 years to join Premier League side Bolton Wanderers as a first-team assistant.
He has nurtured some of Wolves' most talented players in recent years.
Following the announcement of his impending move to The Reebok Stadium, Chris said on WOW: "I have identified, recruited, trained and developed home-grown talent for Wolverhampton Wanderers for seventeen years.
"To have had such responsibility bestowed upon me by one of the biggest clubs in England was an honour and privilege, and I always wore the auld gold and black colours with immense pride.
"As a family we are Wolves supporters, my three sons born, bred and educated in the city, and Wolverhampton will continue to be our home.
"I hope I have repaid the faith invested in me by Manager Graham Turner and former owner Sir Jack Hayward, by leaving an Academy that is held in the highest regard throughout the country.
"To have helped nurture players like Matt Murray, Robbie Keane, Lee Naylor, Joleon Lescott, Wayne Hennessey, Mark Davis and many others, from schoolboys into fine young men, fills me with immense professional pride.
"I have supported 10 very experienced and talented Managers and caretakers over the years, but always made it clear from the outset I wished to stay at Wolves if ever they themselves left.
"Throughout my work I have been fully supported by Sir Jack Hayward and the Board of Directors, and in more recent years by Jez Moxey and Richard Skirrow in particular.
"Of all, it has been the fans who have been my biggest backers and I have enjoyed a very special relationship with them.
"I believe the quality of young players emerging at Wolves will help to ensure that their club is in a very healthy state for many, many years to come.
"My only reason for leaving is my wish to work with senior players, in a senior management position, and Bolton Wanderers have been able to offer me that opportunity.
"May I place on record my appreciation and gratitude to every member of staff at the Academy, and indeed the entire club, without whom the success story would not have been possible.
"My only regret will be not having the opportunity to work with new owner Steve Morgan, a man who has impressed me greatly.
"I hope he brings the success to the club that is so richly deserved."

Collins Out On Loan

Hereford have signed teenage Wolves defender Lee Collins on a month's loan.
Collins, who can play at full-back or centre-back, has not yet appeared for Wolves first team, although he has been an unused substitute.
The 19-year-old could make his League debut for the Bulls in Saturday's League Two game at Stockport.

13th November 2007

International Injuries

Michael Kightly has been sent back to Molineux after reporting for England under 21 duty.
The squad are preparing for UEFA qualifying games against Bulgaria at MK Dons on Friday and then away to Portugal next Tuesday.
But the Molineux winger has been suffering from a sore foot and compounded his problems by straining his hamstring last weekend against Barnsley.

Michael explained on WOW: "I reported at St Albans yesterday and saw the England doctor.
"He said there was no way I'd be able to play on Friday as I hadn't got enough range of movement.
"He also thought I was a doubt for Tuesday. So rather than travel out to Portugal to end up sitting in a hotel room, he said I should come back to my club and get myself fit.
"I spoke to Stuart Pearce (coach) and he agreed and said he would call me in a week or two to se how I was getting on.
"The priority for me now is to get fit for the West Brom game. I've got just under two weeks and I'm confident I'll be ok. I wouldn't want to miss it!
"I watched them on the TV last night at Coventry. I think 4-0 flattered Albion a bit because Coventry played well in the first half.
"But it was another three points for them, making it important we get something out the match a week on Sunday."

There are also question marks over whether Seyi Olofinjana and Kevin Foley will be able to take part in their international games.
Olofinjana is due to meet up with the Nigerian party who will play a friendly against Australia on Saturday but he has been suffering from back pain. Foley is in Ireland's 'B' squad for a home friendly against Scotland a week today but is currently having treatment on a sore ankle.

11th November 2007

Match Reaction

Mick McCarthy beat an angry retreat up the tunnel after his Wolves side laboured to a 1-0 victory at home to Barnsley to move up to fifth in the Coca-Cola Championship table.
Wolves should have had the game won by half-time and then almost squandered two points as Barnsley hit back in the dying stages.
The crowd became restless on more than one occasion, particularly when Wolves tried to wind the clock down by taking short corners and attempting to keep the ball by the flag.
As the team became nervous, it seems McCarthy was similarly afflicted - and he rushed off at the end before remembering to return and shake the hand of his counterpart Simon Davey.

"It was just frustration," said Wolves' Barnsley-born manager.
"Everyone was frustrated. We were feeding off of one another's frustrations - but sod it, we have won 1-0.
"We were great in the first half and should have been all done. Then we had a nervous 10 minutes.
"I sometimes understand the frustrations - I certainly do when we take a short corner like that. But frustration doesn't help, nor do the moans and groans.
"I'm not having a pop and I don't know how you change that mentality. But if the fans were raising the roof singing, it might be better."

10th November 2007

Wolves 1-0 Barnsley

13mins: GOAL, Collins heads Wolves into the lead.
Half Time: Wolves 1-0 Barnsley.
71mins: Wolves substitution, Keogh on for Bothroyd.
77mins: Wolves substitution, Potter on for Kightly (injured).
80mins: Barnsley substitution, Ricketts on for Campbell-Ryce.
82mins: Barnsley substitution, McCann on Togwell.
84mins: Yellow card, Olofinjana.
85mins: Barnsley substitution, Odejayi on for Werling.
Full Time: Wolves 1-0 Barnsley.

9th November 2007

Team News

Wolves: boss Mick McCarthy remains without a host of key players, including captain Gary Breen and striker Stephen Elliott.
Also out are Kevin O'Connor and Lewis Gobern but striker Andy Keogh has decided to delay a minor groin operaton and is available to play.

Barnsley: are likely to name an unchanged starting line-up.
Jon Macken, signed on loan from Derby last week, should start again up front alongside Hungarian Istvan Ferenczi.

No Interest In International Job

Boss Mick McCarthy has assured Wolves fans he has no interest in returning to the Ireland job following comments made by Don Givens.
Earlier this week the Republic's caretaker manager described Mick as being the ideal candidate for the vacant role.
McCarthy said on WOW: "I would be an ideal candidate because I did it for seven years with some success.
"It was a fantastic job and I loved every minute of it.
"For all the grief the FAI gets they let me get on with the job.
"It's got better in terms of the finance, the training facilities and the support so whoever gets it will be fortunate.
"But I am not considering it in any shape or form!"

8th November 2007

Keogh To have Minor Op

Wolves striker Andy Keogh is to have minor surgery on his groin during the upcoming international break.
Keogh has been omitted for the Republic of Ireland squad for the forthcoming game against Wales and will use the time off to have the operation.
He said on WOW: "I think the gaffer had a word with the Irish people to let them know I wouldn't be available for selection.
"I should be out in a day so I don't envisage missing Wolves matches."

7th November 2007

Match Reaction

Mick McCarthy was pleased with the manner in which his Wolves side managed to scrape a goalless draw against Southampton at St Mary's.
Former Ireland boss McCarthy was happy with the way his side retained possession and made the Southampton crowd turn against their team.
McCarthy said: "I felt we played very well tonight. We kept the ball well, we pinged passes around and their crowd started to get on their backs up because we were playing so well.
"A draw is not a bad result for us and if you'd asked me before the game whether I would have taken that, I would have said yes."

The Wolves boss maintained that he is aiming for promotion this season and feels that his Wolves side will be firmly in contention at the end of the campaign.
McCarthy said: "If you can string two or three wins in a row you can fly up this table as we have shown before.
"There's a lot of clubs aiming for promotion and I feel we are in as good a position as any of them."

6th November 2007

Southampton 0-0 Wolves

23mins: Yellow card, Collins.
Half Time: Southampton 0-0 Wolves.
56mins: Southampton substitution, Surman on for Dyer (injured).
64mins: Southampton substitution, Saganowski on for Rasiak.
72mins: Wolves substitution, Jarvis on for Kightly (injured).
77mins: Wolves substitution, Potter on for S Ward.
80mins: Southampton substitution, Hammill on for Wright-Phillips.
82mins: Wolves substitution, Bothroyd on for Keogh.
Full Time: Southampton 0-0 Wolves.

5th November 2007

Team News

Southampton: On-loan defender Andrew Davies is pushing for his first start after returning to full fitness.
Jason Euell, who like Davies has been struggling with a calf problem, will face a late fitness check, while fellow midfielder Youssef Safri is suspended.

Wolves: will be without Gary Breen, Stephen Elliott and Darron Gibson.
Breen is out for several weeks with a knee injury, striker Elliott has a hamstring problem and midfielder Gibson continues to recover from a groin tear.

4th November 2007

Match Reaction

Wolves had to be content with a point after being held by Bristol City.
Jay Bothroyd put the home side ahead with a low 20-yard shot through a crowded penalty box after the Robins had failed to clear a corner.
But ex-Wolves player Michael McIndoe, who was booed on his return, set up the equaliser as Wolves conceded a first home goal in 338 minutes in the league.
McIndoe crossed for Liam Fontaine to guide a header back across goal to leave keeper Wayne Hennessey stranded.

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy said: "We were terrific in the first half. That was as good as we have played.
"We had enough good opportunities and either didn't have the final pass or the devilment to put the ball in.
"The football was great but it was a lousy goal to give away. It was bad marking."

3rd November 2007

Wolves 1-1 Bristol City

22mins: GOAL, Bothroyd gives Wolves the lead.
25mins: Yellow card, Fontaine.
27mins: Goal, Fontaine levels the score.
Half Time: Wolves 1-1 Bristol City.
57mins: Yellow card, Sproule.
63mins: Yellow card, Keogh.
63mins: Yellow card, Byfield.
65mins: Yellow card, Kightly.
66mins: Yellow card, Carey.
69mins: Bristol City substitution, Murray on for Sproule.
69mins: Wolves substitution, Jarvis on for Bothroyd (injured).
77mins: Bristol City substitution, Noble on for Byfeild.
81mins: Wolves substitution, Potter on for Kightly (injured).
84mins: Wolves substitution, Eastwood on for S Ward.
88mins: Bristol City substitution, McCombe on for Trundle.
Full Time: Wolves 1-1 Bristol City.

2nd November 2007

Team News

Wolves: winger Matt Jarvis could make a belated full debut after recovering from a hip injury.
Darron Gibson (groin) is also battling to be fit. Jody Craddock (ankle), Gary Breen (knee) and Stephen Elliott (hamstring) are also injury concerns.

Bristol City: midfielder David Noble will travel despite spending most of the week struck down by illness - after recovering from a calf injury.
Young defender Christian Ribeiro will be part of the squad.