Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has attempted to rein in Molineux expectations by insisting he simply wants to improve on last season.

McCarthy’s side missed out on the play-offs by two goals last term to spark widespread criticism from fans frustrated at the failure to improve on the previous season’s fifth-placed finish.

Wolves over-achieved in McCarthy’s first campaign, but despite four new signings, the Molineux chief won’t be making any predictions for promotion.

Publicly at least, McCarthy believes the promotion favourites should come from the clubs with parachute payments.

“Last season was a real disappointment because we thought we were going to do better,” said the boss. “My only thoughts on this coming season is we want to do better than last time. Expectancy will be there but there will be expectancy at 24 clubs in the Championship.

“When I see what Birmingham are spending and what Derby and Reading are doing, clubs with the parachute money are the favourites. Sheffield United, Charlton and Watford will be there having the parachute payments still, so it’s a very hard league as we all saw last season.

“But we will be doing our level best with 23 other teams.”