Ebanks-Blake to start for Wolves
Sylvan Ebanks-Blake was today given the nod to lead the Wolves attack at Newcastle – as manager Mick McCarthy revealed they might not be able to keep Matt Jarvis.
Sylvan Ebanks-Blake was today given the nod to lead the Wolves attack at Newcastle – as manager Mick McCarthy revealed they might not be able to keep Matt Jarvis.
McCarthy confirmed Ebanks-Blake has won the battle ahead of Steven Fletcher to replace the injured Kevin Doyle at St James' Park in an unchanged line-up.
The Wolves boss said: "Sylvan will come in and he has to play. If I bemoan the loss of one it detracts from the ability of the other, so I prefer to look at the merits of the other.
"We've got Sylvan and he's playing tomorrow – and the rest of the team is the same as well, so if anyone is watching and wants to set up their free-kicks then fine – let them deal with us.
"After our last game, why would I be any different to two weeks ago?
"We're going to attack and to try to win the game."
Regarding Jarvis, who made his England debut this week, McCarthy admits he could become a target.
Liverpool and Villa have been linked with the 24-year-old this week.
McCarthy said: "He's been here four or five years and has been wonderful for us, getting us promoted and keeping us up.
"But if a top four club comes in with an unbelievable amount of money and he wants to be a regular for England, it becomes very difficult. But if you say 'no, we're adding to our squad' then who knows?
"But there's no suggestion of him being for sale or anyone else."
For Newcastle, midfielder Kevin Nolan is just a booking away from a two-match ban.
Nolan, who has nine yellow cards, has been a key player for the Magpies this season with 11 goals.
Manager Alan Pardew said: "He likes to ref it now and again, Kev. He gives me a bit of back-chat! That part of it we can control.
"I wouldn't dream of telling someone as honest and professional as Kev to be careful, but he knows any backchat to the referee where he puts himself under pressure is probably a no-go."
Newcastle defender Steven Taylor believes Wolves should be worrying about the fixture, rather than the other way around.
He said: "At St James' Park it will be difficult for them, and they've also lost their star striker Kevin Doyle. They can worry about us.
"We just have to win. You look at the quality we have and there's no reason why we can't beat Wolves."
Newcastle drew 1-1 with Wolves in August and Taylor warned his team-mates Wolves will be out to frustrate them.
"They are a hardworking side and they will be at us all of the time. They will sit on the ball and try to frustrate us in front of our fans.
"I'm confident we can win the game. Even at their place we matched them, but we just couldn't find the goal we needed."
Wolves took a 20-man squad to Newcastle but, while Stephen Hunt travelled, Adlene Guedioura stayed behind.
Instead, the Algeria World Cup star made a scoring comeback in the 2-1 reserves win at Blackpool on Wednesday after a broken leg.
But the 25-year-old midfielder has been saved for further reserve action at home to Manchester City on Monday at Telford.
McCarthy said: "Guedioura won't travel to Newcastle, but he will play again on Monday. He's doing remarkably well.
"If I was struggling, I'd have taken him this weekend but I've got 20 players fit and raring to go with Hunt, Michael Mancienne and Michael Kightly all fit.
"I just think we should let Adlene have another game on Monday. He did really well at Blackpool, he's trained really well, and there's no need to rush him back.
"I know it's only two or three more days but it's another game and for his confidence, it will be good and he'll be OK for the Everton game."
