Dawson, Iwelumo and Weimann: Wolves and Watford 'played for both' XI

Ahead of Wolves' clash with Watford 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 England internationals and Molineux favourites to players who enjoyed contrasting fortunes at the two clubs, here is the best ‘Played For Both XI’ for Wolves and Watford.

Goalkeeper: Tomasz Kuszczak

Wolves: 2014–2015, Watford: 2012

Starting between the sticks is former Manchester United goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak, who had brief spells at both Wolves and Watford towards the latter stages of his career.

The Polish international joined Wolves on a free transfer in November 2014 after leaving Brighton, providing competition for Carl Ikeme as Kenny Jackett's side pushed for a Championship play-off place.

Kuszczak had previously spent the closing months of the 2011/12 season on loan at Watford from Manchester United, where he enjoyed a regular run of games after struggling for opportunities at Old Trafford.

Defender: Darren Bazeley

Wolves: 1999–2002, Watford: 1989–1999

A versatile defender who spent much of his career in the Championship, Darren Bazeley joined Wolves in 1999 after a decade at Watford.

The New Zealand international came through the youth ranks at Vicarage Road and established himself as a regular in the Hornets' first team, helping Graham Taylor's side secure back-to-back promotions from the third tier to the Premier League.

He left Watford for Wolves following their promotion in 1999 and spent three years at Molineux, becoming a regular under Colin Lee before injuries disrupted his career. Bazeley eventually departed in 2002, shortly before Wolves secured their long-awaited return to the top flight.

Defender: Craig Dawson

Wolves: 2023–2025, Watford: 2019–2020

A popular figure at Molineux during his two-and-a-half years at the club, Craig Dawson brought some much-needed experience to Wolves' defence following his arrival from West Ham United in January 2023.

The former West Brom defender quickly became a key player under Julen Lopetegui, helping Wolves avoid relegation from the Premier League before continuing to feature regularly under Gary O'Neil.

Dawson had previously spent the 2019/20 campaign at Watford, joining the Hornets from Albion in a reported £5.5m deal. However, his solitary season at Vicarage Road ended in relegation from the Premier League, and he moved to West Ham shortly afterwards.

Defender: Mike Williamson

Wolves: 2015–2017 (11 appearances), Watford: 2009 (23 appearances)

A towering centre-back who made his name in the Premier League with Newcastle United, Mike Williamson had short but memorable spells at both clubs.

He initially joined Wolves on loan from Newcastle in October 2015 and impressed with his leadership and defensive performances under Kenny Jackett, prompting the club to make the move permanent in January 2016.

However, injuries restricted Williamson's opportunities at Molineux and he made just 11 league appearances before leaving in 2017. He had previously spent six months at Watford in 2009, joining from Wycombe Wanderers before earning a move to Portsmouth.

Defender: Darren Ward

Wolves: 2007–2009 (31 appearances), Watford: 2001–2004 (67 appearances)

A no-nonsense centre-back who spent much of his career in the Football League, Darren Ward joined Wolves from Crystal Palace in 2007.

The experienced defender was brought in by Mick McCarthy to strengthen his backline following the club's Championship play-off disappointment, but struggled to establish himself as a regular at Molineux.

Ward had previously spent three seasons at Watford after joining from Millwall in 2001, where he became an important member of the Hornets' defence. He eventually left Wolves for Millwall in 2009, having spent the previous season on loan at the London club.

Midfielder: Tony Daley

Wolves: 1994–1998 (21 appearances), Watford: 1998–1999 (12 appearances)

A winger blessed with blistering pace, Tony Daley arrived at Wolves in 1994 after more than a decade at Aston Villa, where he had established himself as an England international.

His move to Molineux was seen as something of a coup for Graham Taylor's side, but persistent injury problems meant Wolves supporters rarely got to see the best of him. Daley made just 21 league appearances during four frustrating years at the club.

He joined Watford in 1998 and made 12 league appearances during their promotion-winning campaign under Taylor, before injuries eventually forced him to retire from professional football. Daley later became a fitness coach and worked at Wolves for 10 years.

Midfielder: Adlene Guedioura

Wolves: 2010–2013 (39 appearances), Watford: 2015–2017 (54 appearances)

Algerian international Adlene Guedioura became something of a cult hero at Wolves thanks to his energetic performances and willingness to try his luck from distance.

He initially arrived at Molineux on loan from Belgian side Charleroi in January 2010 before making the move permanent that summer, and scored a memorable long-range goal against Sunderland as Wolves secured Premier League survival.

Guedioura left Wolves for Nottingham Forest in 2013 and eventually joined Watford, initially on loan, two years later. He helped the Hornets secure promotion to the Premier League in 2014/15 before returning permanently and establishing himself as a regular in their midfield.

Midfielder: Jermaine Pennant

Wolves: 2012 (15 appearances), Watford: 2002–2003 (21 appearances)

A player who enjoyed a colourful career at the highest level, Jermaine Pennant had brief loan spells at both Wolves and Watford during his playing days.

The former Liverpool winger joined Wolves on loan from Stoke City in October 2012 as Stale Solbakken looked to bolster his attacking options following relegation from the Premier League.

However, Pennant struggled to make an impact at Molineux and returned to Stoke after making 15 Championship appearances. He had previously enjoyed a productive loan spell at Watford from Arsenal in 2002, scoring twice in 21 league appearances as he looked to establish himself in senior football.

Forward: Iwan Roberts

Wolves: 1993–1996 (33 appearances), Watford: 1990–1993 (63 appearances)

Welsh international Iwan Roberts was a popular figure at Wolves during the 1990s, having arrived at Molineux from Leicester City in 1993.

The powerful striker formed an effective partnership with Steve Bull and enjoyed his most prolific season in 1994/95, scoring 25 league goals as Wolves narrowly missed out on promotion to the Premier League.

Roberts had previously spent three years at Watford, joining from Huddersfield Town in 1990 and establishing himself as a reliable goalscorer at Vicarage Road. He eventually left Wolves for Norwich City in 1997, where he became a club legend.

Forward: Chris Iwelumo

Wolves: 2008–2010 (46 appearances), Watford: 2011–2013 (45 appearances)

Another striker who became a firm favourite at Molineux, Chris Iwelumo played a crucial role in Wolves' promotion to the Premier League under Mick McCarthy in 2009.

The towering Scotland international arrived from Charlton Athletic in 2008 and immediately struck up an effective partnership with Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, scoring 14 league goals as Wolves stormed to the Championship title.

However, injuries restricted his opportunities in the Premier League and he left for Burnley in 2010. Iwelumo joined Watford the following year and spent two seasons at Vicarage Road, although he struggled to rediscover the goalscoring form that had made him such a success at Wolves.

Forward: Andreas Weimann

Wolves: 2017 (21 appearances), Watford: 2011 (22 appearances)

Completing the starting 11 is Austrian international Andreas Weimann, who had short loan spells at both clubs during his lengthy career in English football.

The former Aston Villa forward joined Wolves on loan from Derby County in January 2017 and quickly became a regular under Paul Lambert, scoring three Championship goals as the club avoided relegation to League One. He also netted in the memorable 2-1 victory over Liverpool at Anfield.

Weimann had previously spent time on loan at Watford from Villa in 2011, scoring four goals in 21 league appearances. He went on to establish himself as a Premier League regular at Villa before enjoying lengthy spells at Derby and Bristol City.