Just minutes decided Henry's future

And so one of Wolves' most astute signings in the last 25 years – ranked possibly only behind Steve Bull, Andy Mutch and Michael Kightly – was done, for £100,000.

It's over three years since Henry arrived at Molineux, boots under his arm, for a trial against Villa. Mark Davies got injured, on went Henry – and the rest is history.

The memory of his introduction is still as sharp as ever for the Wolves boss, as the 26-year-old midfielder prepares to return to his only other club tomorrow.

McCarthy said: "Karl was on the pitch for 15 minutes, and I turned to my assistant manager Ian Evans and said 'he's going nowhere else, make sure we sign him.

"It wasn't a big move at the time, but it's turned out to be a really fantastic signing because he's been rock-solid."

There are no hard feelings from Pulis over Henry's blossoming since leaving the Potteries – quite the opposite in fact.

Henry – then a more creative midfielder rather than the all-round, snap-at-your-heels type of now – revealed Pulis told him he lacked a "winning mentality", but the Wolves chief admits players and opinions alter.

McCarthy said: "People change and they grow up. That opinion is of no detriment to Tony Pulis because Karl may well have been like that when he was at Stoke.

"But since he's been here, he's been terrific. When I signed him, Tony spoke really highly of him and every time I speak to him, he asks about Karl and he's thrilled for him.

"We all make decisions on players – bringing them in and letting them go. But there's no one happier for Karl than Tony Pulis.

"Careers can take off and Karl's one of those players and the credit has to be given to him. He's worked hard at his game."

McCarthy is convinced Henry can cut it in the top flight after making a seamless transition so far.

He said: "I think his performances in the Premier League have been very good, and he looks a Premier League player. He didn't have any doubt in his own mind that he could play in the Premier League.

"Physically, there's no question he can handle it, but he's handling it technically as well and he looks very accomplished."

But the Wolves boss stopped well short of Michael Kightly's belief that Henry could play for England.

He said: "I don't pick anyone else's team, certainly not the national one – but everyone else has opinions on it.

"But it's lovely to have come from one of his team-mates and it shows how much he is thought of."

Henry has no doubts the moving from Stoke to Wolves was right for him.

He said: "Signing here was a fresh start for me. I managed to get myself into the team early on and I've never looked back. So I've got no regrets and I'm completely happy with my decision.

"I'm not bitter about anything that happened – it's a good club and I had a good time there. I'm pleased they're doing well and I'm delighted we're up there competing.

"At the time, I had a contract on the table and they wanted me to stay, but I knew I was only going to be a squad player. So I wanted to get away.

"A few of the older players said to me sometimes you need to move on to get that respect and that's what I did."

Looking ahead to tomorrow's derby, Henry is under no illusions as to how difficult it will be.

He said: "It's going to be tough for us, because they've done really well. Having worked under Tony Pulis, I know full well how he approaches games."

"He always wants to keep a clean sheet and defend solidly – something they have carried from the Championship into the Premier League.

"They did really well last season and they've started this season in the same vein."

Henry won't hear of criticism of Stoke's style of play, despite their heavy reliance on set-pieces.

He said: "Stoke's style of play creates them chances, scores them goals and wins them games. With players such as Glenn Whelan and others there now, they've got footballers as well, so they're not just a 'crash it and bang it' outfit."

The atmosphere at the Britannia Stadium – recorded as the loudest in the Premier League last season – adds to the air of intimidation.

But Henry is confident the sell-out 2,800 Wolves allocation will make themselves heard – vowing the team would 'mix it' along with the noise.

He added: "Our supporters have been fantastic as well and they will be equally loud if not more so.

"We certainly mix it as well – we put our foot in and we know when to play ugly."