Shane Long made a stunning return to action at West Brom with the winning goal against Bolton.

West Brom striker Shane Long has volunteered for a shock return this weekend – but Baggies boss Roy Hodgson is unlikely to risk his main summer signing.

West Brom midfielder Paul Scharner will miss Saturday’s trip to Arsenal with a knee injury – but hopes to be back to face Bolton two weeks later.

Wolves are the only West Midlands team to avoid an all-Premier League tie in the Carling Cup third round.

Birmingham striker Cameron Jerome could complete his move to Bolton before the weekend as the exodus from St Andrew’s continues.

Outsider Steve Clews walked away from Rileys Sports Bar in Wolverhampton dreaming of a showdown with fellow Stoke star Phil ‘the Power’ Taylor.

Goals from Kevin Phillips and Craig Gardner were enough to drag Birmingham out of the relegation zone.

Gary Cahill insisted he has put his Villa days firmly behind him but was still pleased to prove a point to his previous employers last weekend.

Gary Cahill scored twice against his former club as Villa were made to pay for their profligacy at Bolton.

Wolves found out just how cruel the Premier League can be after being denied a deserved point in a pulsating clash that sent them back to the bottom of the table.