Wolves and Craddock will fight Stoke

Wolves defender Jody Craddock has warned Stoke will not stand a chance of bullying his team if Sunday's Staffordshire derby turns into a war.

Stoke have forged a reputation for their battling qualities and uncompromising style under boss Tony Pulis.

Wolves will also be without arguably their most combative player in captain and former Stoke midfielder Karl Henry, who starts a three-match ban for his sending off at Arsenal.

But defender Craddock insists there are enough Wolves players willing to put their bodies on the line and sweat blood for the club on Sunday to not be intimidated by the Potters.

As a fearless ballwinning centre-back himself, the 34-year-old Player of the Year contender is relishing the scent of battle before captaining the side on his 500th League appearance.

He said: "I feel we can mix it physically – they might be saying something different and think they can rattle us physically by knocking us about.

"But that's cool by me – that's my game anyway – and if you ask Christophe Berra, George Elokobi, Stephen Ward or any of the boys in our team, they're all up for the fight."

Craddock also feels Wolves have an advantage on Stoke because they are more used to keeping possession.

He said: "I think we might have the edge on them at keeping the ball, because that's a strength in our game. Our game has developed over the season, but it's a lot to do with confidence as well.

"The players have always had that capability to play well, but it's about having that confidence to do it against top Premier League teams.

"It's about not just panicking and getting rid of the ball. I feel our boys – especially the midfielders – have done fantastically well in keeping the ball for long spells and proving themselves."