Ronald Zubar earmarked to replace Richard Stearman for Wolves

Wolves defender Ronald Zubar was today earmarked as the man to replace injured right-back Richard Stearman at Chelsea this Saturday.

Stearman has been ruled out for four weeks with a broken wrist sustained in Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Everton, undergoing an operation yesterday to have a metal plate inserted in the joint.

But while Stearman begins his rehabilitation, manager Mick McCarthy has confirmed Zubar will come in for the ever-present former England under-21 international.

The French defender hasn't played competitively since February because of back and groin injuries, but trained fully without reaction last week and could figure in a reserve line-up to play Arsenal at AFC Telford tonight.

McCarthy said: "It's a blow to lose Stearman, but Zubar is coming back and he'll play tonight so hopefully he'll be ready to come back on Saturday because he's the natural replacement.

"Zubar is six foot tall as opposed to Stearman, who's 6ft 2ins, but he's very athletic and powerful in the air, so he can take care of that side of it."

Read the full story in today's Express & Star.