Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has backed Stephen Ward to recover from his latest knock and admitted he has a dilemma at left-back.

Ward came off with a groin injury in the first half in Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Villa, allowing George Elokobi almost an hour to get to grips with Marc Albrighton.

But McCarthy is confident Ward will be fit for Saturday’s trip to Wigan.

The manager said: “Ward’s got a groin injury.

“I don’t know how he’ll be yet but he might be out training tomorrow.”

However, McCarthy was highly impressed with Ward’s replacement.

He said: “George was excellent on Sunday. He had a really top performance, probably one of his best.

“His use of the ball was great.”

The Wolves boss also paid tribute to Ward’s bravery.

He said: “It’s typical of him that he was almost disappointed it wasn’t a worse injury he had to come off with – if you understand that logic.

“Because his leg wasn’t hanging off yesterday morning he’s feeling a bit of a fraud.

“But there was no way he could have carried on and he’s the last person who should feel like that, because he’s one of the toughest guys there is.

“I saw him play with that tendon problem last year and then with nine stitches in his shin which he did on the Sunday and then played on Tuesday.

“He really is a top bloke.”

Another left-back, Jelle van Damme, came through his first 90 minutes in last night’s 2-1 reserves defeat against Newcastle. Nenad Milijas and Geoffrey Mujangi Bia also got full games.

McCarthy is confident Milijas is getting closer to contention as he undergoes a mini pre-season.

The Wolves boss said: “I want to get Nenad fit – that’s why he played in the reserves on Monday night.

“He was on the bench on Sunday having played for two hours in the Carling Cup the previous Tuesday, so he’s getting there. He just wasn’t at it – missing three weeks of pre-season meant he was never up to the desired standard.

“But he’s embraced what we needed and he’s working hard.

“Geoffrey also played and he might give us something now he’s fit.

“He’s another who really needed those 90 minutes.”