Conor Coady so eager to get stuck into derby rivals

Conor Coady can't wait for his first taste of a West Midlands derby against Birmingham this weekend.

Wolves travel four junctions down the M6 desperate to reverse their losing trend, having been defeated in their past three matches.

They couldn't have asked for a much sterner test in the form of Gary Rowett's resurgent Blues, who currently sit sixth in the table.

But Coady has backed Wolves to take the positives out of Saturday's defeat to Middlesbrough and get a result at St Andrew's.

"I can't wait," the 22-year-old said. "Everyone at the club is looking forward to it.

"It's massive for us, it's massive that we come away with a good result.

"A lot of the boys have grown up watching derbies.

"For myself, I grew up watching Liverpool v Everton and I've played in Huddersfield v Leeds last season.

"I know all about derbies and the boys are buzzing for it.

"We're looking at the next three games now before the international break (with Bristol City away and Burnley at home to follow).

"We need to go in with the right mindset and take the positives from Middlesbrough."

Coady endured a frustrating spell on the sidelines recently after being sent off during last month's draw with Brighton.

A three-game ban was followed by another two games out of the team, with Kenny Jackett electing to pair Kevin McDonald with Jack Price in midfield, but Coady knows that is part and parcel of football.

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"I'm delighted to have been back in the team," he said.

"Unfortunately there have been a couple of disappointing results – last Wednesday against Brentford was unacceptable and on Saturday we should have come away with a result.

"I always knew I was part of a talented squad and these things (being left out) would happen.

"But I'm never going to be one to sulk.

"Don't get me wrong, I was disappointed not to be involved, but I'll always support the lads, and those in the team were doing fantastically well."

Those missed games included one against former club Huddersfield, but Coady said: "At the end of the day the lads went out and won 3-0 so you can't complain about it at all.

"I was disappointed, but that's part and parcel of football."

Against Middlesbrough, Coady was perhaps lucky to stay on the field after a late tackle on Tomas Kalas, while on a booking.

Referee James Lingington elected to give Coady a final warning instead – and in the second half he found himself playing in defence after Kortney Hause was stretchered off injured.

Coady said he enjoyed the

role and learned a lot playing alongside Danny Batth and Scott Golbourne.

"I played there growing up quite a lot and filled in there a couple of times last year at Huddersfield," he added. "I enjoy it there, it's a different role.

"There's more hustle and bustle in midfield, when you're in defence you've got more time and you can see what's going on.

"To be fair, the referee

was quite good with me, I spoke to him and explained that as I've gone in I've not meant to go off my feet, my foot gave way and I slipped.

"I can understand why (Middlesbrough) came running in asking for a second booking, but to be fair the ref was quite reasonable, he knew I'd slipped into it.

"The referee made a good call because I never went in to hurt the boy or slide in.

"At half-time the gaffer said just be careful, and I felt I did that second half. There was nothing malicious in it.

"'I've thought about my tackling a bit since the Brighton red card – if I'm going in with daft tackles it's no good for me or the team."