England Premier League Media

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy still has faith in Molineux favourite Michael Kightly, despite leaving the winger out of his 25-man Premier League squad.

The luckless Kightly has been plagued by injury for the last year, suffering a broken foot, an ankle problem and then a knee injury.

But, despite having now been without Kightly since last November, McCarthy insists he remains a part of his plans.

“It will take as long as it takes, and there’s no time limit on it,” he said.

“When he’s ready we’ll be able to discuss the possibility of going out on loan, which he can do before we have a chance to revise the squad in January,” McCarthy told the club website.

Kightly’s battle with injuries has been the one big downside for Wolves since their return to the top flight under McCarthy in May 2009.

The young Londoner, for whom McCarthy paid just 75,000 when he joined Wolves from non-league Grays Athletic in 2007, was a star turn in the three seasons that it eventually took to earn promotion.

But, since Wolves came up, Kightly, now 24, has made just three Premier League starts.

McCarthy has included summer signing Stephen Hunt, who is set to be out until October after recovering from foot surgery, along with new recruit Marcus Bent.

Having now joined the 14th club of his career, the deadline day loan signing from Birmingham City insists he can still make an impact at the highest level – at the age of 32.

“Once you stop believing in yourself you might as well hang up your boots,” he said.

“As a footballer, you try and push yourself every day to achieve more and more.

“I’ll never stop learning. I might be one of the older members of the squad here but I can still get better.

“I am sure the boys will teach me some stuff and hopefully I can teach them some stuff.”

Michael Kightly has been left out of Wolves’ 25-man squad for the first half of the season because of knee problems.

The 24-year-old has not played since November 2009 and is likely to be sent out on loan once he is fully fit.

“It will take as long as it takes, and there’s no time limit on it,” manager Mick McCarthy told the club website.

“When he’s ready we’ll be able to discuss the possibility of going out on loan, which he can do before we have a chance to revise the squad in January.”

Winger Kightly has made a big impact since joining Wolves from non-league Grays Athletic in 2007.

However, he was plagued by injury for the last year, suffering a broken foot, an ankle problem and then a knee injury that has sidelined him since November.

Stephen Hunt, who is recovering from foot surgery, has been included along with new recruit Marcus Bent, a deadline day loan signing from Birmingham, who has now joined his 14th team.

The 32-year-old says he thinks he can still make an impact at the highest level.

“Once you stop believing in yourself you might as well hang up your boots,” he said.

“As a footballer, you try and push yourself every day to achieve more and more. I’ll never stop learning. I might be one of the older members of the squad here but I can still get better. I am sure the boys will teach me some stuff and hopefully I can teach them some stuff.”

Wolves 25-man squad:

Marcus Hahnemann, Wayne Hennessey, Carl Ikeme, Kevin Foley, Ronald Zubar, Richard Stearman, Jody Craddock, Christophe Berra, Steven Mouyokolo, George Elokobi, Stephen Ward, Jelle Van Damme, Karl Henry, David Jones, Michael Mancienne (on loan from Chelsea), Dave Edwards, Greg Halford, Nenad Milijas, Adlene Guedioura, Matt Jarvis, Stephen Hunt, Kevin Doyle, Steven Fletcher, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, Marcus Bent (on loan from Birmingham)

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy has secured a loan move for striker Marcus Bent from fellow Midlands club Birmingham City.

McCarthy loaned forward Andy Keogh to Championship side Cardiff and 32-year-old Bent’s arrival until 4 January will help bolster his attacking options.

“Marcus is an experienced striker,” Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey told the club’s website.

“He has played plenty of Premier League football and scored goals.”

Bent has struggled to force his way into the first-team reckoning at Birmingham and was loaned out to QPR and Middlesbrough last season.

“People still talk about whether we’ve got enough Premier League experience, and Marcus will add to that,” added Moxey.

“He’s also a different type of striker to what we have in that he’s a physical presence.

“We needed someone after the departure of Andy Keogh and Marcus can do a job for us.”

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy is poised to secure a loan move for striker Marcus Bent from fellow midlands club Birmingham City.

McCarthy loaned forward Andy Keogh to Championship side Cardiff and 32-year-old Bent’s arrival until 4 January will help bolster his attacking options.

“Marcus is an experienced striker,” Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey told the club’s website.

“He has played plenty of Premier League football and scored goals.”

Bent has struggled to force his way into the first-team reckoning at Birmingham and was loaned out to QPR and Middlesbrough last season.

“People still talk about whether we’ve got enough Premier League experience, and Marcus will add to that,” added Moxey.

“He’s also a different type of striker to what we have in that he’s a physical presence.

“We needed someone after the departure of Andy Keogh and Marcus can do a job for us.”

Newcastle’s Andy Carroll cancelled out Sylvan Ebanks-Blake’s superb opener for Wolves to add further weight to his case for an England call-up.

Carroll was at the forefront of a Magpies display full of early vigour, but it was Wolves who drew first blood.

Ebanks-Blake drove home a Jelle van Damme centre to put the home side ahead on the stroke of half-time.

Carroll hauled Newcastle level just after the hour, rising unmarked to head home a Joey Barton free-kick.

A bruising encounter punctuated by 12 yellow cards was, then, largely a tale of two strikers in a rich vein of form, both of them scoring for a second week in succession.

Newcastle should have made more of their initial dominance, but Mick McCarthy’s side hung in manfully to weather the early storm before Ebanks-Blake, who had already hit the post with a header, forced the breakthrough.

As for Chris Hughton’s Newcastle, an away point at Molineux is not to be sniffed at, and they rallied well after the disappointment of failing to convert a string of first-half opportunities.

The signing of France international Hatem Ben Arfa on a season-long loan, announced an hour before kick-off, will doubtless lift Geordie spirits further after last weekend’s 6-0 evisceration of Aston Villa.

No doubt the Toon army will be gleefully imagining the damage Carroll might inflict when backed by the midfield scheming of a player surely destined to be christened ‘Wor Benny’.

On an afternoon when the two managers, former Republic of Ireland internationals McCarthy and Hughton, greeted each other warmly, common ground between the two sides was not difficult to find.

Newcastle’s overriding priority is to emulate Wolves’ achievement last season in consolidating their top-flight status following promotion.

With that goal in mind, Hughton could do a lot worse than follow the example set by McCarthy. The Yorkshireman has instilled a formidable work ethic in his side and that quality, combined with sound defensive organisation, was central to Wolves’ survival last term.

For the opening half an hour, the home side were hugely reliant on the second of those attributes. Picking up where they left off against Villa, Newcastle hit the ground running, with Carroll at the heart of a vibrant attacking performance.

Supported by Kevin Nolan, the Newcastle number nine delivered an outstanding display of modern centre-forward play, tormenting the Wolves defence with his aerial presence and physicality, working the channels when required, and bringing team-mates into the game with some excellent hold-up play.

If Carroll is not named in Sunday’s England squad for the forthcoming Euro 2012 qualifiers – potentially in place of Bobby Zamora, who is an injury doubt – it will not be for want of ability.

Carroll tested Wolves goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann with an early header, Wayne Routledge was unlucky not to find either Barton or Nolan after rounding Hahnemann, and a double attempt by Nolan was also thwarted.

Wolves were feeling the heat and, as they strove to contain the Tynesiders, it soon became clear that the dug-out bonhomie did not extend to their players.

Karl Henry and Barton set the tone for an afternoon of unflinching physical commitment by contesting a bone-juddering 50-50 challenge.

Kevin Doyle went in hard on Alan Smith, Van Damme clattered Carroll and, by the end, no fewer than seven Wolves players had been booked.

But there was quality amid the commitment, as Ebanks-Blake signalled when he shuddered the post from a David Jones corner. It was a point the striker reinforced – this time decisively – two minutes from the interval.

Van Damme swung a cross to the far post, and Ebanks-Blake went into Dennis Bergkamp mode, cushioning the ball in mid-air with the outside of his right boot before sweeping it beyond the helpless Magpies keeper Steve Harper.

Newcastle survived an early second-half scare when James Perch slid in to bring down Matthew Jarvis, but referee Stuart Attwell denied Wolves what looked a more than credible penalty claim.

Perhaps stung by a sense of injustice, Wolves became increasingly tetchy, and an attritional 15-minute spell culminated with Ronald Zubar entering Attwell’s book for a left-wing foul on Gutierrez.

Barton swung in the resulting free-kick, and some slack Wolves defending left the unmarked Carroll free to power home a signature headed strike.

From there, Newcastle looked the likelier winners. Hahnemann repelled Nolan’s volley after Routledge had prised Wolves open along the right, and was again forced into action when Shola Ameobi, who came on for Carroll, went close with a looping header.

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy:

“Sylvan Ebanks-Blake has had a great start to the season and got another good goal. I’m delighted with him.

“It was a fair result, but I thought we should have had a penalty.

“It was a tough game, and we’ve certainly got no problem with the competitive edge to the game.

“I’ll take the point – we’re unbeaten, and it’s a great start for us”.

Newcastle manager Chris Hughton:

“It was a very competitive game, but it’s impossible to come here and not have that kind of game.

“We started very well, but we had to. You can’t be on the back foot here, because Wolves are a very good side who play at a high tempo.

“If Andy Carroll got the [England] call tomorrow, I am quite sure he would be available.

“Should he be picked? That is the decision for the manager. All I can say is how delighted I am with what he has given us.

“[New signing Hatem Ben Arfa] is a quality player. He’s got the right profile – he’s got quality, and he’s got some development in him too.”

Barclays Premier League
Venue: Molineux Date: Saturday, 28 August Kick-off: 1500 BST
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 live, local radio, Final Score & highlights on Match of the Day

Michael Mancienne goes straight into the Wolves squad after joining the club for a third loan spell this week.

Steven Fletcher and Karl Henry are expected to recover from foot and groin injuries respectively.

Newcastle boss Chris Hughton rested his first-choice XI for the Carling Cup win at Accrington but is likely to restore them all for the trip to Molineux.

But Ryan Taylor, Shola Ameobi and Peter Lovenkrands will hope to be involved after impressing at the Crown Ground.

Wolves

Doubtful: Fletcher (foot), Henry (groin), Kightly (match fitness), Mouyokolo (hamstring), Van Damme (ankle)

Injured: Hunt (foot)

Newcastle

Doubtful: Guthrie (knee)

Injured: Best & Simpson (both ankle), Campbell (fitness), Gosling (knee), S Taylor (shoulder), Xisco (groin)

Both teams will go into this game on a high following mid-week Carling Cup wins off the back of impressive starts to the Premier League campaign.

Newcastle grabbed the headlines last weekend with a 6-0 demolition of Aston Villa at St James’ Park, Andy Carroll grabbing a superb hat-trick. It was an emphatic response to those who questioned the Magpies’ top-flight credentials following their 3-0 defeat at Manchester United.

Next up is a trip to Molineux, where they have not won in five attempts. The Toon Army’s away form proved their Achilles’ heel as they were relegated in 2008/09, and they will be desperate to follow up their mid-week Carling Cup victory at Accrington with another success on the road.

In contrast, Wolves will be looking for a marked improvement in their home form as they look to better last season’s 15th-place finish. Mick McCarthy’s team only won five times at Molineux last term and found the net just 13 times – comfortably the lowest tally in the league – but have started the new season well.

Wolves will be boosted by the return of Chelsea defender Michael Mancienne for a third loan spell. But there was sad news with the announcement that former England Under-21 goalkeeper Matt Murray has been forced to retire at the age of 29 with a knee injury.

Head-to-head

The last two meetings between the sides were in the 2003/04 season. Both ended in 1-1 draws.

Wolves have won four and drawn one of their last five matches at Molinuex against Newcastle.

Wolves

Wolves have lost just one of their last seven league games.

Karl Henry has been fouled nine times this season, more than any other Premier League player.

David Edwards is hoping for his 150th league start.

Newcastle

Newcastle have lost their last four away games in the Premier League, failing to score on each occasion.

They managed only two wins on the road in their last Premier League campaign.

Andy Carroll has scored five goals in his last five league appearances.

Wolves

Ebanks-Blake, Fletcher & D Jones: 1 goal (1 league)

Newcastle

Carroll: 3 goals (3 league); Nolan: 2 goals (2 league)

Referee: Stuart Attwell

Assistant referees: Ron Ganfield & Andy Newbold

Fourth official: Kevin Friend

Wolves (D1-1 v Everton, a): Hahnemann, Foley, Berra, Craddock, Elokobi (Guedioura 53), Jarvis, Henry, David Jones (Halford 70), Ward, Ebanks-Blake (Stearman 90), Doyle.
Subs Not Used: Hennessey, Keogh, Milijas, Zubar.

Newcastle (W6-0 v Aston Villa, h): Harper, Perch, Coloccini, Williamson, Jose Enrique, Routledge (Ameobi 76), Smith (Ryan Taylor 76), Barton, Gutierrez (Xisco 80), Nolan, Carroll.
Subs Not Used: Krul, Lovenkrands, Vuckic, Tavernier.

Wolves goalkeeper Matt Murray has announced his retirement after admitting defeat in his long-running battle against injury.

The 29-year-old former England Under-21 international has suffered a string of injuries during his career.

And he has now given up hope of recovering from a ruptured patella tendon sufficiently to play at the highest level.

Murray made exactly 100 first-team appearances during his Molineux career.

Boss Mick McCarthy told the club website that Murray had “fought tooth and nail” to get back to fitness.

“It’s a sad day when anyone has to retire, even more so when it’s a 29-year-old goalkeeper that in my opinion would have been one of the England regulars had he been fit,” said McCarthy.

“That only compounds the feelings of disappointment and sorrow that we all feel for him.

“It’s not just that – he’s worked so hard to come back from all his injuries.

“Despite all the knockbacks, despite being told it was three months and then six months he has fought tooth and nail and worked as hard as anybody I have ever seen.”

Murray came through the youth ranks at Wolves after joining in 1997 but only managed to play regularly in two seasons because of injury.

He was a key figure as Wolves won promotion to the top flight of English football for the first time since 1984 in 2003, saving a Michael Brown penalty in the 3-0 play-off final win over Sheffield United at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium.

He started Wolves’ first game in the Premiership – a 5-1 defeat at Blackburn – but then missed the rest of season because of injury.

And he then only made fleeting appearances because of a series of setbacks before becoming a regular again in McCarthy’s first season in charge, winning the player of the year award as Wolves reached the Championship play-offs in 2006/07.

But injury struck again on the eve of Wolves’ play-off semi-final against Black Country rivals West Bromwich Albion as Murray hurt his shoulder in training and missed the two-legged tie which the Baggies won 4-2 on aggregate.

He would never play for Wolves again, with his last professional appearances coming during a loan spell with Hereford United in November 2008 as he mounted another comeback.

It was during his third game for the Bulls at MK Dons that Murray suffered the injury that would ultimately end his career when making a routine clearance.

Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper Carl Ikeme has signed for Leicester City on a one-month loan deal.

The 24-year-old will provide cover for Chris Weale, who was forced off during the Foxes’ 3-0 defeat at Burnley on Saturday with a shoulder injury.

Ikeme is expected to make his debut for Leicester against Reading on Saturday.

The Foxes played Conrad Logan in goal in their 2-1 Carling Cup win against Leeds and their other option is young Hungarian keeper Robert Ambrusics.

Ikeme has also had spells on loan at Charlton Athletic, Sheffield United and QPR.

Utility player Michael Mancienne has rejoined Wolves on a season-long loan deal from Chelsea.

He spent the last campaign on loan at Molineux and was used as a defender and midfielder in 33 appearances.

The England Under-21 player initially joined Wolves on loan in October 2008 and made 10 appearances as the club won promotion to the Premier League.

Mancienne, 22, will go straight into the Wolves squad to face Newcastle at home on Saturday.

“It didn’t look like anything was going to happen with Chelsea and I want to play,” said Mancienne.

“Wolves have been very good to me in the past and I’m delighted to be back. In a way it feels like I’m coming back home and I’m really looking forward to the season.

“There were other alternatives, but the gaffer here has been really good to me and had faith in me and helped me improve my game.

“That played a big part in my decision.”

Mancienne has earned 21 caps and scored one goal for the England Under-21 team.

He was named in England manager Fabio Capello’s senior squad for the friendly against Germany in Berlin in November 2008 but did not feature in the match.

Mancienne has only made six appearances for Chelsea but still has three years remaining on his contract with the London club.

Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey added: “We did speak to Chelsea about a permanent deal but it was decided the best course of action was another season-long loan.

“Michael was happy to do that, and although he had other alternatives, decided to come back to Wolves.”

Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Andy Keogh has switched to Cardiff City on a season-long loan deal.

The Republic of Ireland international, 24, will join the squad on Thursday and go straight into contention for Saturday’s match at Portsmouth.

Keogh, who will wear the 17 shirt, join Bluebirds signings Craig Bellamy, Seyi Olofinjana, Danny Drinkwater, Jason Koumas, Lee Naylor and Tom Heaton.

Keogh has scored 49 goals in 180 competitive appearances.

Those matches have been for Leeds, Scunthorpe, Bury and Premier League Wolves since 2004.

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy left the player out of out of his side’s 2-1 Carling Cup win over Southend on Tuesday.

He told the club’s

website:

“He didn’t want to be cup tied and Cardiff didn’t want him to be cup tied and it was a chance for us to give Ashley Hemmings a game [against Southend].

“Andy has been fabulous here both for me and this football club. It’s a good move for him to go to Cardiff and good luck to him.

“He wants to play football and doesn’t want to be fourth in line here which I can fully understand.

“It was my decision to let him go but he goes with our best wishes and warmest regards.”