Gleeson off to Stockport

Wolves young gun Stephen Gleeson has joined League Two side Stockport County on a month's loan.

The Irishman, who has not figured for Wolves this season, has joined County to get more first team experience.

Wolves reserve team coach Terry Connor reckons the spell at Edgeley Park will benefit the Republic of Ireland under-19 international.

He said: "Stephen has been involved in the friendly games we have been playing and this is the next logical step of his development.

"We have stressed to him that this is an opportunity to go and get some experience of the Football League. But he's a Wolves player and we want him to come back and make a difference.

"We want him to be a first team player here. We have told Stephen to go and get some experience and then come back here to start challenging to get in the side."

Meanwhile, Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has called for a reaction from his troops after the disappointment of Wednesday's defeat at Southampton.

The Molineux chief reckons it is a "must win" game against the Championship's basement boys - but admits Southend manager Steve Tilson will be thinking the same.

"If we have any desire to stay where we are in and about the play-offs, we need to win these kind of games." he said. "There is no point dressing it up as anything other than a must-win game. We're not trying to add any pressure to the game, but it is a match we have to win.

"And you have to say Steve will be thinking exactly the same thing after going bottom on Tuesday."

McCarthy has also had time to reflect on the Saints defeat.

"I don't think the game was great. I don't think they were particularly great -the difference was they had two strikers who were capable those goals."

By Mark Douglas