Thommo, Bothroyd and Miller: Wolves and Cardiff 'played for both' XI

Ahead of Wolves' clash with Cardiff City at Molineux on Saturday afternoon, the Express & Star has named a starting 11 made up of some of the best players to have represented both clubs.

From back-to-back title winners and play-off final heroes to cult figures and players who endured contrasting fortunes at the two clubs, here is the best ‘Played For Both XI’ for Wolves and Cardiff.

Goalkeeper: Michael Oakes

Wolves: 1999–2007 (199 appearances), Cardiff: 2007–2008 (11 appearances)

Starting between the sticks is Michael Oakes, who spent eight years at Molineux and was a key member of the Wolves squad that finally secured promotion to the Premier League in 2003.

The former Aston Villa goalkeeper joined Wolves in 1999 for a reported £500,000 fee and established himself as the club's first choice under Colin Lee, before losing his place to Matt Murray during the promotion-winning 2002/03 campaign.

He remained at Wolves until 2007 before joining Cardiff on a free transfer, reuniting with former manager Dave Jones. However, competition from the likes of Kasper Schmeichel and Peter Enckelman restricted him to 11 league appearances before he retired in 2008.

Defender: Andy Thompson

Wolves: 1986–1997 (376 appearances), Cardiff: 2000–2002 (7 appearances)

A firm favourite with Wolves supporters during the club's revival in the late 1980s, Andy Thompson was part of the side that secured successive promotions under Graham Turner.

He joined Wolves from fierce rivals West Brom in 1986 alongside Steve Bull and became a regular at right-back, helping the club win the Fourth Division title and Sherpa Van Trophy in 1988 before securing another promotion the following season. His reliability and penalty-taking ability made him a popular figure during more than a decade at Molineux.

After leaving Wolves in 1997, Thompson spent three years at Tranmere Rovers before joining Cardiff in 2000. His spell in South Wales was considerably shorter, with the defender making just seven league appearances before moving to Shrewsbury Town.

Defender: Gary Bellamy

Wolves: 1987–1992 (136 appearances), Cardiff: 1992 (9 appearances)

Another member of Graham Turner's promotion-winning Wolves side, Gary Bellamy arrived at Molineux from Chesterfield in 1987 as the club looked to rebuild following its dramatic fall through the divisions.

The dependable defender became an important part of the Wolves backline alongside the likes of Floyd Streete, helping the club win successive league titles in 1987/88 and 1988/89, as well as the Sherpa Van Trophy at Wembley.

Bellamy remained at Molineux until 1992, when he joined Cardiff on loan towards the end of his Wolves career. He made nine appearances for the Bluebirds before moving permanently to Leyton Orient later that year.

Defender: Roger Johnson

Wolves: 2011–2014 (81 appearances), Cardiff: 2006–2009 (119 appearances)

A player whose arrival at Molineux promised so much before ending in disappointment, Roger Johnson joined Wolves from Birmingham City in a reported £4.5m deal in 2011.

The experienced centre-back was immediately handed the captaincy by Mick McCarthy, but struggled to replicate the performances that had made him such a highly-rated Premier League defender. Wolves suffered successive relegations during his time at the club, and Johnson eventually fell out of favour before leaving in 2014.

He had previously enjoyed three successful years at Cardiff, where he established himself as one of the Championship's best defenders and helped the Bluebirds reach the FA Cup final in 2008. His performances earned him a move to Birmingham in 2009, where he went on to win the League Cup.

Defender: Lee Naylor

Wolves: 1997–2006 (293 appearances), Cardiff: 2010–2012 (29 appearances)

A product of Wolves' academy, Lee Naylor spent almost a decade at Molineux and was a regular fixture at left-back during the club's long-awaited return to the Premier League.

The Bloxwich-born defender made his senior debut as a teenager in 1997 and went on to establish himself under several managers, including Dave Jones, who guided Wolves to promotion through the play-offs in 2003.

Naylor left Wolves for Celtic in 2006, where he won two Scottish Premier League titles before returning to the Championship with Cardiff in 2010. He reunited with Jones in South Wales and initially featured regularly, but lost his place during his second season and was released in 2012.

Midfielder: Bobby Woodruff

Wolves: 1964–1966 (63 appearances), Cardiff: 1969–1974 (150 appearances)

One of the oldest names in this starting 11, Bobby Woodruff enjoyed a brief but productive spell at Wolves during the mid-1960s before going on to establish himself at Cardiff.

He joined Wolves from Swindon Town in 1964 for a reported £40,000 fee and made an immediate impact with his goalscoring ability from midfield. Woodruff scored 18 league goals in 63 appearances, including a hat-trick against Sunderland in April 1965, although he could not prevent Wolves' relegation from the First Division.

After leaving Molineux for Crystal Palace in 1966, Woodruff eventually joined Cardiff three years later. He spent five seasons with the Bluebirds, scoring 22 league goals and helping them win the Welsh Cup on four occasions.

Midfielder: Seyi Olofinjana

Wolves: 2004–2008 (135 appearances), Cardiff: 2010–2011 (39 appearances)

Nigerian international Seyi Olofinjana became a popular figure at Wolves during his four years at Molineux, establishing himself as a powerful presence in midfield.

He joined Wolves from Norwegian side Brann in 2004 following their relegation from the Premier League and quickly became a regular under Dave Jones and later Mick McCarthy. Olofinjana enjoyed his most productive campaign in 2006/07, scoring eight league goals as Wolves reached the Championship play-offs.

His performances earned him a move to Premier League side Stoke City in 2008, before spells at Hull City and Cardiff followed. He joined the Bluebirds on loan in 2010 and made 42 Championship appearances, scoring six goals as Dave Jones' side reached the play-offs.

Midfielder: Mark Kennedy

Wolves: 2001–2006 (167 appearances), Cardiff: 2008–2010 (66 appearances)

A classy left-footed midfielder who played a key role in Wolves' promotion to the Premier League in 2003, Mark Kennedy was one of Dave Jones' most important signings at Molineux.

The Republic of Ireland international joined Wolves from Manchester City in 2001 and became a regular on the left flank, with his creativity and crossing ability proving invaluable during the club's push for promotion.

Kennedy famously scored the opening goal in Wolves' 3-0 play-off final victory over Sheffield United at the Millennium Stadium in 2003. He left Molineux for Crystal Palace in 2006 before reuniting with Jones at Cardiff two years later, where he helped the Bluebirds reach the Championship play-off final in 2010.

Forward: Nathan Blake

Wolves: 2001–2004 (75 appearances), Cardiff: 1990–1994 (131 appearances)

Welsh international Nathan Blake was another key member of Wolves' famous promotion-winning side of 2003, having arrived at Molineux from Blackburn Rovers in September 2001.

The powerful striker cost Wolves a reported £1.5m and formed an effective partnership with Kenny Miller, scoring 23 league goals during his three years at the club. He also scored in the 3-0 play-off final victory over Sheffield United, helping Wolves end their 19-year wait for top-flight football.

Blake had begun his professional career at hometown club Cardiff, where he established himself as a prolific young striker and helped the Bluebirds win the Third Division title in 1992/93. He scored 35 league goals before earning a move to Sheffield United in 1994.

Forward: Kenny Miller

Wolves: 2001–2006 (169 appearances), Cardiff: 2011–2012 (43 appearances)

Another hero of Wolves' 2003 promotion campaign, Kenny Miller enjoyed five successful years at Molineux and became a firm favourite with supporters thanks to his tireless work rate and eye for goal.

The Scottish international initially joined Wolves on loan from Rangers in 2001 before making the move permanent.

Miller famously scored the winning goal against Manchester United in January 2004, securing one of Wolves' most memorable victories of their solitary season in the top flight. He left for Celtic in 2006 and eventually joined Cardiff five years later, scoring 10 Championship goals and helping the Bluebirds reach the 2012 League Cup final, where they lost to Liverpool on penalties.

Forward: Jay Bothroyd

Wolves: 2006–2008 (55 appearances), Cardiff: 2008–2011 (116 appearances)

Completing the starting 11 is former England international Jay Bothroyd, who enjoyed contrasting fortunes at Wolves and Cardiff during his career.

The striker joined Wolves on a free transfer from Charlton Athletic in 2006 and showed flashes of his undoubted ability under Mick McCarthy, most memorably scoring a spectacular long-range winner against West Brom at The Hawthorns in 2007.

However, Bothroyd struggled for consistency at Molineux and left for Cardiff in 2008, where he enjoyed the most prolific spell of his career.

He scored more than 40 Championship goals during three seasons in South Wales, helping the Bluebirds reach the 2010 play-off final and earning a senior England cap in 2010.