Wolves boss Mick McCarthy believes the Championship promotion race could take a dramatic twist with one of the form teams gatecrashing the top three.

McCarthy’s side have – apart from a two-week spell in October – led since August 30, while Birmingham and Reading have occupied the other two spots – but all three sides have been wobbling of late.

Wolves have won only one of their last 10, Reading have scored only once in five while Blues have won just three in 12.

Last season’s play-off finalists Bristol City – who have won eight of their last 10 league games – and Cardiff, who are unbeaten in 13, look most likely to leapfrog one of their three main contenders.

Cardiff drew 0-0 with QPR in the first of their four games in hand on Wolves last night.

McCarthy had thought the two automatic promotion spots would come from the top three, but now he says: “Of course it’s not improbable other teams might be involved.

“When I was asked (before), it looked as if it might be two from three (who go up automatically). But that was maybe one or two months ago. Football changes all the time.

“We’ve got the points. Birmingham and Reading have to win two games to go above us and Cardiff can’t now go level with us.”