Captain Karl Henry today admitted he expects to miss Wolves’ Boxing Day clash against Wigan – but claims he is on course to be fit for the re-scheduled Black Country derby.

The battling midfielder believes he is still up to three weeks away from full fitness after sustaining a tear of his medial ligament in the defeat at Blackpool on November 20.

Sunday’s clash against Albion at The Hawthorns was postponed due to safety reasons with snow and ice still surrounding the ground.

No new date has been fixed but it won’t be before the week starting January 10.

“There’s no point rushing it when the knee isn’t ready yet but hopefully in another two to three weeks I’ll not be far away,” said Henry, who has missed the last three games.

“I’m still making steady progress. When it was said that it was six to eight weeks I was hoping I might be a super-hero and get back in four to five! But I think the initial prognosis was right.

“Things are coming along nicely and I want to be back as soon as I can.”

Henry was all set to miss out on the Black Country derby on Sunday.

But at least the postponement of The Hawthorns game means he will be fit for when it is re-arranged, which is likely to be later next month.

“It’s a huge game and I was really disappointed to be missing it,” said the Wolverhampton-born skipper.

“I’m disappointed to miss any game but it was one I was looking forward to at the start of the season. It promises to be a great atmosphere and a great day and hopefully we’ll get the right result.

“I played in a few of those games in my first two seasons although I missed the play-off games through injury.

“I did feature the last time we played there when Wayne Hennessey saved a penalty. Hopefully, I can be part of the game now.”

Wolves haven’t won at The Hawthorns in nine visits going back to the Iwan Roberts’ hat-trick-inspired 4-2 victory in 1996.

But Henry believes Mick McCarthy’s side will be ready when the time comes to face their arch-rivals.

“Wolves haven’t had a great record against Albion in recent years,” said the 28-year-old.

“And they’re a good side at the moment with some good attacking players who have done well this season.

“From what I’ve seen they have given teams a lot of problems so we know we’ll be in for a tough game. But the boys are certainly up for it and ready for a huge match.”

As one of only two Wolverhampton-born senior players – Richard Stearman is the other – Henry is well aware of the importance of the Albion showdown.

But he stressed it comes second to staying in the Premier League.

“It’s the one game all the fans want to win, almost above anything else,” he said.

“We know that and realise how important it is but, at the same time, it’s still secondary to us staying in the league. The most important thing for us is to try to get another three points which might help keep us in this league. That’s the way we have to look at it.”

Henry is one of several players Wolves are counting on handing them a new year’s fitness boost.

Jody Craddock had an injection in his thigh in London yesterday, while Michael Mancienne (knee) saw a specialist regarding ongoing discomfort in his knee.

Wolves are also currently without Steven Mouyokolo (back) and Kevin Doyle (torn thigh) in the short term, while Christophe Berra (badly bruised thigh) Matt Jarvis (knee) and David Jones (infected cut foot) have only just returned to training.

Adlene Guedioura (broken leg) and Michael Kightly (knee) are the two long-term absentees.