Double injury bow for Wolves
Wolves have been hit by a double injury blow after Michael Kightly and Dave Edwards suffered setbacks.
Wolves have been hit by a double injury blow after Michael Kightly and Dave Edwards suffered setbacks.
The pair had been due to return to full fitness this week following ankle surgery.
But they have both been forced to put their comeback plans on hold after aggravating the problems – and in Kightly's case, cope with another niggle as well.
Manager Mick McCarthy said: "It would have been nice to have Kightly and Edwards back.
"But they're going to be missing for a couple more weeks, maybe even longer than that.
"Kightly's ankle is inflamed. Dave's ankle is the same, just through coming back training.
"Kightly's patella tendon was sore before too.
"They've suffered a re-occurence of their injuries. We've just got to protect them, that's all."
Kightly has made just three Premier League starts after being injured in the November 30 defeat against Birmingham, while Edwards has been sidelined since the win at Tottenham on December 12.
George Elokobi (illness) and new signing Geoffrey Mujangi Bia (tight hamstring) missed training yesterday, but the latter will be fit for tomorrow.
And McCarthy believes both new arrivals Mujangi Bia and Adlene Guedioura – almost completely unknown to fans - will quickly prove themselves.
"Geoffrey didn't train yesterday," he said.
"He had a tight hamstring but he'll be alright for the game.
"We had a 20 minute game yesterday and Adlene is a very good player."
Chief executive Jez Moxey says a three year contract for Guedioura is already agreed.
"There are a few things. It will be down to him and me – I'll have to decide," said McCarthy.
"From what I see so far, I don't think there will be any doubt I want to keep him.
"He was only on for two or three minutes against Liverpool but he won a tackle and put in a great header out from a corner."
But as McCarthy digested the news on Kightly and Edwards, he believes Matt Jarvis's strong performance against Liverpool shows he can rise to the challenge.
"Jarvo' has got competition," said the boss.
"He's played well and has had a good season but he produced a really good performance against Liverpool and that mirrored everyone."