Dave Edwards has emerged as a major doubt for Wolves’ FA Cup clash against Birmingham on Saturday.

Midfielder Edwards lasted just 26 minutes of last night’s 2-2 draw at Blackpool before coming off with a hamstring injury.

The Welsh international was replaced by Dave Jones and Molineux boss Mick McCarthy admits the 22-year-old will do well to make the third round tie at St Andrew’s.

“He’s hurt his hamstring and had to come off. He’s a doubt for Saturday,” said McCarthy.

He hailed Stephen Ward for changing the game after the Irish utility man came on for the final 33 minutes at Bloomfield Road.

Ward lasted less than an hour in the 1-1 draw against Sheffield United on Boxing Day after suffering a virus and was again laid low last night. But his arrival lifted Wolves and he went close to scoring before starting the move that led to their second goal scored by Matt Jarvis.

“He was terrific and he did change it for us,” said McCarthy. “Wardy wasn’t right at all on Friday and I wondered whether he could get through 90 minutes after running himself to exhaustion. So I said I wasn’t going to start with him and he gave us a great 35 minutes.”

McCarthy also praised Kevin Foley, who played three different positions last night, and Richard Stearman, who filled Foley’s right-back role for the first time since moving to Wolves.

“I was delighted with ‘Foles’ but it was also the willingness to do it,” he said.