Ronald Zubar set for Wolves return
Tuesday 23rd November 2010, 11:00AM GMT.
Wolves defender Ronald Zubar was due to make his comeback today – but is unlikely to be fast-tracked to the first team this weekend.
Zubar was in the reserve team facing Arsenal at their London Colney training ground, a month after surgery to remove an ankle spur.
But the 25-year-old is unlikely to be in contention for Saturday’s crunch clash against Sunderland.
Manager Mick McCarthy said: “Ronald was playing today in the reserves, but I would really doubt it if either him or Jody Craddock will be ready.”
Craddock is also closing to a return after a hip injury but isn’t ready to play yet.
McCarthy said: “Jody was out training yesterday with the kids and he’s getting there.
“But he’s got no chance of being fit for Saturday – he needs a game first.”
Wolves are short of experience for the Black Cats showdown with Karl Henry for two months, after the captain suffered a medial ligament tear in his right knee in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Blackpool, while Christophe Berra is suspended after picking up five bookings.
But McCarthy refuses to bow to temptation by rushing either Craddock or Zubar back.
The Wolves boss said: “To lose Karl for two months and Christophe to be suspended all in the same game hasn’t made life any easier.
“But I’d never compromise the medical people – if they said Zubar was fit and he felt fine then there might be a case for playing him.
“In Jody’s case, he hasn’t trained properly yet. There’s a huge difference between coming back from injury when you’re 25 than when you’re 35 and going straight back into the team.”
McCarthy, who also revealed David Edwards is two weeks away from returning, admitted replacing Henry as captain and player won’t be easy.
He said: “Good question – it will be very difficult to replace Karl as captain and with the influence he has on the pitch.
“Somebody is going to have to do their best to replace him.”
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IF DOYLE is playing make him the Captain.
Drop Hannemann and get Hennesey in Goal.
Get Fletcher on the park and drop Hunt until he is firing on all cyclinders.If Jelle is fit get him in at left back. Don’t play Jones as he does not want to play for the wolves.
Mance and Milijas in midfield.
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Great news about Zubes, he’s been sorely missed,he looked a class act when he finally settled down, when his wife and child moved over here. I would still try him again in his proper position CH, as thats a position we lack experience in? But wherever he plays it will be a major boost to everyone involved with Wolves.I also hope Jody isn’t to far away as he’s another player we’ve missed badly,people say he’s to old/slow its their opinion and i respect that, but ”IMO” i dont buy into this being to old ( 35 )? Its how good a player you are and JC is a very good player. UTW:
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All the money spent in the summer and we are worse than we were last year ,going backwards and down under McClown.
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Haven’t given up on MM yet, but I think it is time to go 4-4-2. Blackpool haven’t been afraid of attacking. May as well lose 3-0 than continually losing by the odd goal.
Fletcher-Doyle combination for a full game is yet to be tried.
Agree that Hennesey is worth a shout. Hanneman has been good but of late not so sure, too slow to get rid of the ball also.
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Gud news for us in the defencive area, but it still wont change our attacking attitude!
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Balham – spot on! My team for Sat (for what it’s worth) Hennessey; Foley, Stearman, Mouyoloko, Van Damme; Jarvis, Mancienne, Milijas, Hunt; Fletcher, Doyle
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I can see that we may have to revert back to the situation we had last season, with Zubar as right back (when he is fit), and Foley to play right sided midfield.
This is because Hunt has been a huge disappointment so far.
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We need Zubar to come back strong and Fletcher to be given a run of games up front to hopefully show why we bought him.
Then we need to buy/loan Keene & Lescott in January.
Please Mick – admit we need to do something more than put a good shift in!
MMM – PLEASE SHOW US SOME AMBITION!
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Sigh…
For the umpteenth time, Keane and Lescott are NOT going to come to a club in our position and we can’t afford ‘em anyway.
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Mr.Morgan,is he still Manager?
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Is Zubar the answer ?
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I feel that Saturday is a must won for Mick too as I can see him getting the boot if we do not win.
I think we need to be positive and look at the changes to the team as a fresh start. I would go with:
Hahnemann
Foley
Stearman
Mouyokolo
Elokobi
Hunt
Mancienne
Milijas
Van Damme
Jarvis
Doyle (now he has broken his duck!)
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Too soon for Zubar but he was a big success last year and needs to be ready for the Blues and Tescos. One thing is for certain this Saturday and that is that Sunderland have quality up front, so the defence need to cut out these ridiculous mistakes. On the plus side, their back four is not good so we need to pick our best forward line and get at ‘em!
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