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Nenad Milijas is on a 'special patrol'

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Wolves midfielder Nenad Milijas has been given a 'special patrol' brief at Stamford Bridge as part of the game-plan to derail Chelsea's charge.

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Wolves midfielder Nenad Milijas has been given a 'special patrol' brief at Stamford Bridge as part of the game-plan to derail Chelsea's charge.

The Serbia playmaker will be handed his first Premier League start since January 26 tomorrow, as manager Mick McCarthy reflects on a depleted midfield that has seen him dramatically recall 19-year-old David Davis from Walsall for a likely substitute's role.

Milijas gets his chance as Wolves are without the suspended Karl Henry, Michael Mancienne (ineligible) and Adlene Guedioura, as well as Jody Craddock.

McCarthy said: "We've been left threadbare in the middle of the park.

"But if someone gets the opportunity to play they should make the best of it, irrespective of it being Chelsea.

"Nenad comes into the equation, of course He's never really up been up to speed until the last three weeks.

"But he's worked exceptionally hard and he looks like he's benefitted from it."

Milijas' job will be a containing one tomorrow, with specific instructions to keep the ball.

McCarthy said: "We can't chase the ball for 90 minutes - we have to keep it. And if we do that, it certainly stops the wave after wave of attacks.

"Nenad's a very talented player who can keep the ball and pass it to a shirt the same colour as his.

"We'll have to do that because if you just keep giving it back to them by booting it up the pitch, it will keep coming back.

"So Nenad will have to make more tackles and run and defend more, but that's the nature of the game when you are Wolves playing against Chelsea."

As for Smethwick-born Davis, McCarthy has no qualms about him.

He said: "David is travelling with us for the next couple of games and he will more than likely be on the bench.

"But he can play - he's solid with decent passing ability. We're not putting a square peg in a round hole. He's full of energy, gets box to box and has a decent shot on him.

"We haven't got any of our normal defensive midfield ability tomorrow because with Karl and Michael out, we'll have to make do and mend.

"But David has done very well - we've spoken to Chris Hutchings at Walsall, looked at him on DVD and our development coach Steve Weaver has been to see him play."

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