Scott Carson's mentor for the derby

With his Black Country derby debut four days away, Albion captain Scott Carson has been getting advice from an expert.

But the skipper is happy not to follow big-match mentor Neil Clement into the ranks of the Baggies' derby heroes.

With the Hawthorns squad light on players with derby experience, Carson has turned to former team-mate Clement for tips on Sunday's mouth-watering clash.

But, unlike the scorer of one of the best derby goals of recent years, the goalkeeper is happy to stay out of the limelight on Sunday provided his team run out winners.

Clement was a veteran of seven meetings with Wolves before chronic knee problems brought his career to a premature end almost a year ago.

The hugely popular defender, who won four and drew one of those games, scored a blistering free-kick to earn the Baggies a point in October 2001.

Thanks to his enduring friendships with his former colleagues, the 32-year-old is still making his influence felt on Sunday's match.

He said: "There aren't many players still here who played against Wolves last time, only Chris Brunt, James Morrison and Dean Kiely.

"So I spoke to Neil Clement yesterday and he said these sort of games are one thing he misses about football.

"He told me he was fortunate enough to have a good derby record when he was playing. He scored a couple of goals against Wolves and he misses those games.

"When I put the phone down to him it just made me think you've got to make the most of games like this while you're still playing.

"Hearing about it from someone who has been there in the past and had his career cut short makes you think you've got to treat each day as it comes and hopefully put a good performance in on Sunday.

"He said he was fortunate enough to have a good record against Wolves and hopefully we can carry it on.

"ScoAnd he said I will love it."