Mick McCarthy has revealed Jody Craddock may have an extended role to play in Wolves’ run-in as Richard Stearman faces a battle to regain his place.

Boss McCarthy surprisingly rested Stearman for the first time for Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Cardiff, replacing him at centre-back with the squad’s oldest player in 33-year-old Craddock.

Wolves’ longest serving outfield player appearing for only the fifth time this season against the Bluebirds, but McCarthy believes the club captain’s experience could see him feature in a major role in the last 12 games.

McCarthy said: “With 12 games to go, Jody offers us a bit of experience and he does what it says on the tin. He’s battle-hardened, and I thought it was the right time to play him.

“He had a really good game. Knowing the players he was going to be playing against, I didn’t think any of them would enjoy playing against Jody Craddock.

“It was a tough, physical, intense game and it suited him. But to be fair, in training he’s looked like he’s been ready to play.”

McCarthy warned Stearman, who came off the bench as an 80th replacement at left-back for the injured Stephen Ward, faces a battle to regain his place after selecting what was his 16th different back four of the season last weekend.

The manager said: “Stears has played in every game apart from when he was suspended. But they’ve all got a battle to get into the team – no one has a divine right to be in the side.

“Stears is fine, but I thought the two lads played very well – I thought Christophe (Berra) and Jody were excellent.”

McCarthy believes a rest won’t do the 21-year-old any harm – it may even make him sharper.

He said: “No one likes coming out of the team, but physically, it won’t do him any harm, that’s for sure.  If he has to miss one, he might have to come back, and if that’s the case, he’ll feel fresher for it.

“Judging by the competitive edge he had last Friday and Saturday, he didn’t want to be out of the team.

“Sometimes it doesn’t do anyone any harm to be on the outside looking in.”

Stearman’s axeing meant he only played twice alongside £2.3million Christophe Berra – both defeats.

Yet McCarthy has effectively selected Stearman for every Championship game he has been available for since his summer move from Leicester.

The England under-21 international has missed two league matches – he was suspended for the win at Watford after being sent off at Norwich, then he was late for the subsequent home game against Swansea.

McCarthy’s stance on Craddock, whose contract expires at the end of the season, represents a massive shift in fortunes.

The former Sunderland defender almost left on loan before Christmas.

But he has leapt ahead of Neill Collins and forced near £1million signing Jason Shackell back to Norwich on loan for the rest of the season.