Wolves’ comeback man Chris Iwelumo has pleaded for a chance to be involved in Saturday’s derby against Villa after vowing – “I can stop their set-piece threat.”

The Scotland international completed his third game since breaking a bone in his foot in Tuesday’s 2-2 reserves draw against Arsenal.

Iwelumo could now come into contention, with giant striker Stefan Maierhofer suspended for the game after his red card in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Everton.

The 31-year-old, who is arguably the club’s most valuable weapon at both defending and attacking setpieces, wants the chance to repel Villa’s main route to goal – the claret and blues have scored all but three goals from restarts this season.

He said: “I think the Everton game came a week too early, but I’m available for selection and hopefully I’ll be involved in some way.

“Whatever the gaffer asks of me, I’ll do and I’m delighted to say that because if you’d asked me last week, I’d have said ‘yes’ but deep down knowing I was still a week away.

“I don’t think I’m ready to start a match – I think the best I can do is play 45 minutes. But there’s more to my game than just attack, attack, attack – there’s a defensive obligation I take on board as well.

“The gaffer is aware of their threat with James Collins and Richard Dunne, players who are great at attacking balls at set-pieces.

“We’ve been working long and hard at defending setplays.  If someone’s not ‘at it,’ you’re going to get punished at this level and you’ve just got to make sure everyone is on their game, especially against Villa.”