Alex Rae has urged the Wolves board to ‘stay strong’ and remain behind manager Mick McCarthy to steer the club to safety.

The former Wolves and Sunderland midfielder will watch with interest as two of his old clubs clash on Saturday, in what could be a pivotal showdown for everyone connected with Molineux.

Now 41, Rae is one of the few people who can say they played alongside McCarthy and was managed by him after their spell at Millwall almost two decades ago.

McCarthy has admitted the game is a ‘must-win’ for himself and Wolves but, whatever happens, Rae believes the club’s top brass have the foresight to see the bigger picture and know McCarthy is the man for the job.

Rae, who is now Paul Ince’s assistant boss at Notts County, said: “He’s got two men in Steve Morgan and Jez Moxey who know the score and they are quite experienced now.

“I think from their point of view, it’s time to stand strong and not lose their heads.

“If they stay strong, they will get through this. It’s very easy for people to sack the boss and all of a sudden get a manager in who doesn’t know the players and doesn’t know his best team.

“It takes time to get on the front foot and you need that continuity thing to push forward.”

Wolves go into the game after nine defeats in 11 but Rae believes McCarthy will deflect the pressure from his players as much as possible.

He said: “If you look at ‘big Mick’, he takes it on the chin. He will defend his players to the hilt and they epitomise what he stands for.

“He has the experience and he’s been around the block – he’s managed for almost 20 years, so it’s not as if he’s a novice.”

Rae, who won promotion with Wolves in 2002-03 and was eight-goal top scorer in their Premier League campaign the year after, is convinced Wolves will stay up.

He said: “Nothing in life is certain but I still think they’ll be alright. I’ve known the big man for a long time and he’ll turn it around – he just needs time.

“He got them promoted and led them to survival and people have to remember that. He changed the culture of the club as well which shouldn’t be forgotten.

“They have managed it before in terms of turning it around in big games when they have needed a result and it’s time to get a couple of wins.

“I’ve known Mick since I was 20, first as a player then as manager and what you see is what you get. He is a leader and I’m convinced he’ll turn it around.

“They’ve got so much quality – particularly going forward, with Kevin Doyle, Steven Fletcher, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and the lad Matt Jarvis, who’s in tremendous form.”

Wolves are the only team yet to keep a clean sheet in all four divisions but Rae also believes the loss of his Jody Craddock has hit them hard.

Rae also played with Craddock at Sunderland plus Wolves and believes he will be key when he returns from a hip injury.

He said: “Once they get Jody back he will give you that stability that helps to steady things at the back.

“They’ve struggled with confidence with losing late goals and then early goals but once they get a win, they’ll be fine.

“I remember when we played Wolves in a pre-season friendly at Dundee a couple of years ago.

“Wolves’ line-up was so good and tight at the back in the way they squeezed from defence into midfield that we based a masterclass on it.”

Rae admits the current run has sapped confidence but insists three points can change everything.

He said: “It’s a confidence thing and that will come with that first win – then people start believing.

“It’s difficult to try to get that confidence into players after a poor run and it’s something we’re experiencing at Notts County at the moment.

“We’re telling players that there’s nothing to fear and to go and believe, because provided you’ve got that, you can go and get results and hopefully start on a run.

“You need character – and that’s why I mention Jody. I’ve known Jody for 13 years and, once he gets back fully fit and in the team, I think you’ll see that quality shine through.

“I’ve got friends who are Wolves fans and they’re not panicking – as I say, it’s just a case of getting that first win because if you do, you can drag four or five teams into it.

“You really can catapult up that league – it’s all about confidence and having the mental strength to see yourself back up there.”

Saturday’s game would normally mean split loyalties for Rae but he favours Wolves this time.

He said: “I spent three days in Portugal at Sunderland’s training camp in the summer and they made me very welcome.

“Me and their IT guy played head tennis against Niall Quinn and Steve Bruce and we had a great time.

“But Wolves are desperate for points and I want them to stay up so I really want a Wolves win.

“Sunderland will be comfortable – they’re a top half of the table team for me this season, so it would be nice for Wolves to get the result.”