Mick McCarthy looking for a scrap

Mick McCarthy has admitted even a scrappy victory in Sunday's game against city rivals Birmingham (Wolves 11/8 for victory on Stan James' English football coupon) could be enough to inspire his side to get more wins in the future.

Wolves currently sit in the Premier League relegation zone having taken just three points in their last seven games and their manager confesses they are already playing catch-up on their rivals.

According to McCarthy, if a side can get 15 points in each third of the season then that would be enough for Premier League survival, however Wolves only have ten points with 13 games gone.

"We are minus five points on that first target and we have got to pick those five points up now from somewhere else, which is difficult to do. But it can be done," he said.

"We have to get that scrappy 1-0 win from somewhere and then another one and then we will all get better on the back of that."

Kevin Doyle (11/2 to be first goal scorer) is likely to return to the Wolves side for the Birmingham (2/1 for victory) game, having been rested for the defeat to Chelsea following his exertions in Ireland's controversial World Cup play-off loss to France.

Ronald Zubar will miss the tie after injuring his ankle in training, with his place in the starting line-up expected to be given to Kevin Foley.