Stephen Ward back in the Wolves mix

Stephen Ward was today set to return to full training as Wolves boss Mick McCarthy described him as the "best business we've done".

The 25-year-old utility man has not been able to train fully with his team-mates for four months.

But after a clean-out operation on his cartilage earlier this summer, Ward, who was a £100,000 signing from tomorrow's friendly opponents Bohemians, feels almost back to 100 per cent fitness.

"Signing Wardy for what we did was as good a piece of business as we've ever done," said McCarthy.

"He's training with us today and he's champing at the bit. We've kept him back because we had to protect him last season."

Ward said: "I'm feeling really good and I'm joining in today which will be my first day back with the lads.

"I won't be able to play tomorrow but I hope to be playing in a couple of weeks.

"I can't believe the difference in the knee.

"It feels great - like a completely different knee.

"It's nearly there whereas last season, I hardly had any flexibility. I couldn't bend it 90 degrees and I couldn't train without 45 minutes' physio every day.

"Now I'm able to move my knee as freely as ever."

Wolves have taken 21-year-old striker Mana Dembele on trial from French Ligue 2 side Chateauroux and he played 71 minutes of last night's 4-1 development team win over Lisburn Distillery.