James Spray in battle to claim goal

Wolves' rookie striker James Spray faces a battle to claim his debut goal against Millwall in the Carling Cup.

The 18-year-old Brummie's shot appeared to fly in for the fourth goal in the 5-0 rout of the Lions, within three minutes of replacing captain-for-the-night Stephen Hunt as a 74^th minute substitute.

But replays showed the ball was going wide until fellow striker Sam Vokes diverted it into the net off his thigh so, technically, it's the latter's goal.

And with the Wales international and manager Mick McCarthy claiming it should go to Vokes, Spray looks like having to surrender his first senior strike.

He said: "To find the ball at my feet and to see it hit the back of the net was a great feeling.

"I laid it out wide first to Adam Hammill then I got in the box for the return. Hammill put it in and I just hit it.

"Everyone jumped on me and was delighted for me."

But McCarthy explained: "Everyone thought James had scored but I think it's going to be nicked off him because it hit Sam on the way in.

"Sam's claiming it because it went on off his thigh and the lads said the same."

Spray's mom Lisa and dad Tony were there to watch his senior bow.

He said: "My mom and dad were delighted for me. I'm from the Quinton-Halesowen area and I grew up as a Villa fan but Wolves is the main thing in my life now.

"I've been at Wolves since I was 13 and, when I first got my scholarship, I was on the bench for the first team twice without getting on.

"I was only 16 then – it was in our first season back in the Premier League - and now I'm nearly 19."