Wolves' Emiliano Martinez is sidelined

The Argentine was expected to have returned to action by now but a troublesome thigh injury is taking longer than first thought to fully heal.

While able to train and handle the ball, Martinez cannot kick it at full pelt and the Wolves medical staff are reluctant to pinpoint an exact date for his return.

But the form of Carl Ikeme has lessened the need to rush Martinez back – and boss Kenny Jackett was full of praise for the 29-year-old.

Of Martinez, the head coach said: "He's out training and doing everything in terms of handling the ball. But his kicking, he still looks some weeks off being fit enough to play.

"The kicking muscle is going to take a while to heal and he'll need to get to 100 per cent before we want to risk him.

"Carl Ikeme had 38 kicks on Saturday, either static kicks or back-passes, that's a lot of kicking.

"It might be around January time, that's a fair estimate. Our medical people are very reluctant to put a time on it with me, personally, but I understand why because they're trying to take it a stage at a time."

Aaron McCarey and Jon Flatt are both vying to be Ikeme's back-up and have been used on the bench in recent weeks.

Ikeme has been out of the side for most of this season, but Jackett said his professionalism had pleased him.

"He's done really well," Jackett said. "He's an experienced keeper and shown a good attitude to fight back for his place. That's exactly what you want.

"He's a lot more vocal as well and that's what I want to see from him to help in terms of leading the group.

"On Saturday against Rotherham his presence, his dealing with situations on through balls and in particular his taking of crosses was very good."

Kevin McDonald was forced off with a kick to the shin at Rotherham, but will be fit to face Nottingham Forest on Friday.