Keogh backed to do a Rooney

Keogh headed the winner after just six minutes as Wolves won 1-0 at Wigan to get their first Premier League points of the season.

The Republic of Ireland international played a lone role up front but brought others into play after dropping deep to lose his markers, similar to the way Rooney operates for Manchester United and England.

Keogh also carved his place in club history after helping Wolves to their first top-flight away win since beating Liverpool by the same scoreline on January 14, 1984.

Midfielder Karl Henry believes 23-year-old Keogh can exert a similar influence to Rooney.

"Keogh's a really good footballer and maybe in the Championship, you don't always get that time to make things come off," said Henry.

"I don't think you'll find players such as Wayne Rooney, who drop off, in the Championship.

"Keogh plays the role so well for us and has done now in both games and I hope he continues the form he's in."

Keogh who was substituted with exhaustion nine minutes before time, was described by McCarthy as Wolves' best player this summer.

"Keogh has been the stand-out player in pre-season – ever since day one when we came back – and he's been terrific as soon as the season started," said the boss.

"I'm thrilled for him and my abiding memory will be of him walking off with 4,500-5,000 fans cheering his name. It was lovely, and great for him."

Henry believes Wolves put in a real 'man's' performance after the break.

"Keogh was up there on his own and he worked his socks off," he said.

"But that's what we've got to do – we've already found out we'll get punished if we give someone space five yards out.

"We didn't do that last night, but we had a few chances of our own, we kept the ball when we had it and in the second half, we put in a real man's performance."