Wolves boosted as Carl Ikeme returns to training

The Molineux number one is to start training with the first-team squad again on Monday as he steps up his workload after breaking a bone in his left hand.

Ikeme hasn't played since sustaining the injury in the 1-1 draw at Tranmere on New Year's Day, missing five games during which 21-year-old Aaron McCarey has taken his chance.

But Ikeme has had a trouble-free rehabilitation period and is ready to return to action on time after it was estimated he'd be out for between four and six weeks.

"Carl is outside doing some training and will begin full training on Monday," said head coach Kenny Jackett.

"He's on schedule. He's doing handling work with the goalkeeping coach (Pat Mountain) and it will be a big boost to have him back.

"He's been a key player for us and he'll be a welcome addition.

"It's been a good department for us so far this season with both Aaron and Carl doing very well."

Jackett has been pleased with McCarey, adding: "Two goals against in five games – one of them a last-minute goal from a corner at Gillingham – shows Aaron can't really have done any better."

Meanwhile, Wolves' other injured player, Dave Edwards is waiting to see if a course of injections solves his foot injury and is set to miss Saturday's trip to Stevenage.

"It's ongoing with Dave but he won't be fit this weekend," said Jackett.

"We haven't got a timescale. It's quite near the area where he broke a metatarsal last season and it isn't right yet.

"He's had a series of injections, so whether this latest injection will work, we'll see later in the week, but I don't think I'll be considering him Saturday even if he trains by Thursday or Friday.

"It won't be too long in the future – but whenever he comes back, he'll be an addition for us.

"And hopefully for both for him and for us, he can see it right through to the end of the season.

"He's been very consistent both as a player and as a person."