Stephen Hunt will not be rushed back

Wolves' new-boy Stephen Hunt was today warned he will not be rushed back from injury until the club are satisfied he is fully fit.

Hunt, who signed for around £3million, is not expected to make his competitive debut until October despite being some way into his rehabilitation from a foot injury.

The 28-year-old winger has been out since February after initially sustaining the problem at the end of January playing for Hull - ironically in a 2-2 draw against Wolves - which later required his ligament to be pinned following the challenge from Ronald Zubar.

Now Wolves boss Mick McCarthy warned it will be better to see Hunt play for most of the season than rushing him back and seeing him break down again suffering from niggling injuries, especially as the summer signing will not miss too many games because of the international breaks in the late summer.

The manager said: "Hunt won't be fit until maybe October, but there's a good side to that in terms of the two-week breaks in August and September with two Saturdays missed.

"As always, Hunt's got a date he thinks he'll be back, we've got a date we think he'll be back and there's a disparity.

"I've told him we'll be going with my date, as I'd sooner have him for six months of the season absolutely spot-on because he'll be a good player for us."

McCarthy believes hardworking but feisty Hunt will be the ideal type to fit into his young and hungry Wolves squad.

The Wolves boss said: "He's a good character as well. Hunt's no shrinking violet and neither are Jelle Van Damme and Steven Fletcher.

"I'm delighted to have got the players we've bought already."