Boss has a look at reserves in action

Mick McCarthy made a midday trip to Blackburn today to see Mark Davies become the latest Molineux player to hit the comeback trail.

The injury-plagued former England age-group midfielder was in a Wolves reserves team taking on a Blackburn Rovers second string at the Premier League club’s training ground.

McCarthy had good reason to take time out for a first-hand view of his fringe players with goalkeeper Matt Murray also continuing his return from injury.

Murray stepped back into action after his lengthy battle against knee trouble with a 45-minute run-out in a reserves match at Nuneaton a fortnight ago but planned to complete 90 minutes today.

Davies’ injury record has been just as frustrating as Murray’s with shin splints restricting him in the last month after some encouraging form in the pre-season schedule.

Wolves also planned to give much needed game time to Jason Shackell and George Friend, new signings whose appearances have been restricted by the first team’s outstanding form since they joined the club at the end of August. Mickey Gray was another in action after he had to pull out of starting at Swansea at the weekend because of illness. 

Team: Murray; Melbourne, Shackell, Williams, Friend, Winnal, Salmon, Davies, Malone, Hemmings, Gray.