Ronald Zubar tunes up for possible Toon return

Ronald Zubar is ready to join Wolves' survival fight as the club waits to appoint a new manager.

The popular defender came through his reserve return unscathed yesterday and is now aiming to push himself towards availability for the first team trip to Newcastle on Saturday week.

Wolves' second-string went down 3-0 to Arsenal in a behind-closed-doors match at the Gunners' training ground.

But with Zubar, Jody Craddock and Karl Henry – now free to play again after suspension – all playing 90 minutes, there were positives for Wolves.

It was Zubar's first run-out since picking up a knee injury on December 27 – ironically against Arsenal in the 1-1 draw at the Emirates.

The French defender is now hoping for another reserve game against Swansea at Telford on Tuesday with the hope of being available for the new boss at Newcastle the following weekend.

"It was good to play again and there weren't any problems," said Zubar. "I took a bang on my shoulder but it's OK and the knee was fine, which is the most important thing.

"After almost two months out I felt a bit heavy-legged to start with but that soon wore off and I'm just happy to be back.

"There's another reserve game next week, and I'm going to train hard as I always do and then hopefully I can be available for Newcastle.

"With the situation with the manager at the moment many things can happen but it would be great just to be available again."

Nico Yennaris, Oguzhan Ozyakup and Phillip Roberts were Arsenal's scorers.

Arsenal: Martinez, Angha (Rees 72), Meade, Eastmond, Squillaci, Miquel (capt), Ebecilio (Roberts 74), Yennaris, Ansah (Neita 80), Ozyakup, Gnabry. Subs not used: Montiero, Shea.

Wolves: De Vries, Zubar, Ebanks-Landell, Jonsson, Stearman, Craddock (capt), Hammill (Kostrna 83), Henry, Cassidy, Harris (Forde 60), Gorman (McAlinden 67). Subs not used: McCarey, Ihiewke.