Wolves were left frustrated after red tape prevented George Elokobi travelling to Belgium at the weekend.

As the club’s only non-EU-born citizen, the Cameroon left-back would have had to go to London in person to apply for visas to visit Ireland and Belgium, where Wolves beat Charleroi 2-1 on Saturday.

With seven days required between visas, there was not enough time to get both, forcing the club to decide in advance that it would be better for the 24-year-old to miss the Belgium trip so he could go to Ireland.

McCarthy felt the four-day trip to Ireland with a training camp and game was more beneficial to both parties than one friendly in Belgium.

He said: “It’s the ridiculous nature of having to get a visa when he works in one European country but couldn’t travel to another.

“He got his visa to travel to Ireland, but he needed a week to get his visa for Belgium and there wasn’t enough time.”

Despite Elokobi’s absence, McCarthy felt he was well served at left-back.

He said: “Jelle van Damme and Stephen Ward were available and we had Matt Hill as well, so we were covered.

“So it just gave George a weekend off, but he’s worked hard and he’s fine.

“He’s great, a fantastic character and he’s a really good player for me.”

There is better news on £2.5million signing Steven Mouyokolo, the former Hull defender, who is finally ready to return to action after an ankle injury kept him out of action for three weeks.

McCarthy said: “He’ll be back in full training again this week.

“He really did take a nasty knock to his ankle but he’s responded to treatment and he’s on his way back.”

With Mouyokolo absent, Wolves played Jody Craddock and Christophe Berra at centre-back for the entire game on Saturday.

McCarthy said: “I had to leave both centre-halves on because I hadn’t got anyone else!

“With George unavailable and Steven injured, it narrowed down the field. It’s not the easiest position to play, but physically at least in terms of running, it is.

“I thought it was good to see Jody and Christophe both play together and they were good as well.”