Drop fight the driving force for Keogh
Wolves striker Andy Keogh has revealed the challenge of rejoining the survival bid and repaying boss Mick McCarthy was the driving force in his early return.
Wolves striker Andy Keogh has revealed the challenge of rejoining the survival bid and repaying boss Mick McCarthy was the driving force in his early return.
The Republic of Ireland forward made a surprise 17-minute appearance in Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Bolton, after almost three months out with an ankle injury.
Now Keogh will lead the charge in a hastily arranged friendly at AFC Telford tonight, after their reserve clash at Portsmouth was postponed for a second time with the Havant and Waterlooville pitch waterlogged.
The striker is one of seven first-team players who will be in action at the New Bucks Head, after the home team's league game was called off due to opponents Farsley Celtic's financial problems.
And the 23-year-old is determined to do all in his power to keep Wolves up, with Mick McCarthy's side above the drop zone on goal difference.
He said: "I knew the run-in was going to be very important, so I was doing everything to get back. I've worked really hard to do that. Now I'm fit again I just want to do whatever I can to help the team and repay the gaffer's faith in me."
While Keogh would normally be joining Kevin Doyle, Kevin Foley and his international team-mates who tackle Brazil at the Emirates, the 23-year-old is just delighted to be back playing.
He said: "I seemed to pick up the pace in training well and was pleased to get on the pitch. If I get a match tonight and then hopefully some more minutes at the weekend, I'll be closer to where I want to be.
"I just need that bit more ball work and proper game time that will hopefully get me fitter and stronger than before I got injured."
Wolves have looked more solid and created more chances playing 4-5-1 – a formation Keogh has impressed in before.
He said: "We've played it during pre-season when it worked quite well and also up at Wigan when I played the frontman role. I can possibly adapt into different roles and I'm looking forward to trying to get involved soon."
Keogh is hoping to play a part in denting Manchester United's treble bid after the champions won the Carling Cup on Sunday.
Tonight's postponement meant Greg Halford, Andrew Surman, Richard Stearman, George Friend, Segundo Castillo, Sylvan Ebanks Blake and Stefan Maierhofer also missed the chance of some much needed action.