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Wolves’ Michael Mancienne has vowed to return to Molineux ready for the fight to regain his place – but admits he will have to bide his time.

Defender Mancienne made his first start since a Premier League defeat to Portsmouth on October 3 in England under-21’s 1-0 victory over Portugal at Wembley on Saturday.

The on-loan Chelsea star will get another chance to sharpen up when Stuart Pearce’s young lions take on Lithuania tomorrow, but Premier League rules will prevent him featuring against his parent club when Mick McCarthy’s men visit Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

And the versatile 21-year-old concedes the form of Jody Craddock and Co could extend his waiting game even further.

Mancienne said: “It was good to get a game under my belt. I had a bit of illness before, then when I wanted to come back into the team I had Jody in front of me.

“He has done really well, so I have just got to bide my time and be patient now.  Saturday’s game will have sharpened me up, it’s given me a confidence boost and improved my stamina.

“We have another game in midweek and if I play that will help me again. Playing well for my country will only help me for my club.”

Wolves’ 4-1 defeat to Arsenal nine days ago made it eight games without a win including the Carling Cup exit to Manchester United.

Before the defeat against Arsenal, Wolves drew three games against Everton, Villa and Stoke, but Mancienne insists they have reason to remain optimistic.

He said: “Do I still feel upbeat about things at Wolves? Definitely. We are lacking a few goals at the moment but I think that will come.”

McCarthy insists his players won’t worry over the defeat by Arsenal in their last outing.

He added: “It’s not as if we’ve lost at home to Hull or Portsmouth at home this time. We’d had three really good results before Arsenal and played well.”

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