Karl Henry: Marcus Bent will boost us

Captain Karl Henry today backed Marcus Bent to add a different dimension to Wolves.

Bent has signed on loan from Birmingham until January to solve boss Mick McCarthy's dilemma as he sought a fourth striker following the departures of Chris Iwelumo, Stefan Maierhofer, Sam Vokes and Andy Keogh.

And Henry, who has played against Bent several times, believes the 32-year-old will strengthen the squad.

"He's a good player who's been there and done it in this division," said the skipper.

"He's played at this level for different clubs and scored goals.

"We lost big Chris in the summer and the gaffer was looking for more of a target man and Marcus has got a lot of experience.

"I think he'll add a lot to the squad.

"He's come here knowing there are three strikers on fire for us at the moment.

"But he still wants to fight for a place.

"He trained on Tuesday and put a shift in and I'm sure he'll be looking forward to it."

McCarthy's 25-man squad includes three new signings yet to play for the club in Bent, Steven Mouyokolo and Stephen Hunt.

And Henry believes Wolves have a stronger squad than last season.

"Each year the gaffer has brought in better players — the squad has become stronger," he said.

"Last year we stayed up and we've attracted some good players as a result.

"We signed some really good players in the summer and have got a couple of others still to come back in Hunt and Michael Kightly. They can make a big difference to us when they come back."

Henry sympathised with Kightly, who has suffered a setback in his comeback plans and is not in the 25-man squad.

"Hopefully he'll be back in the squad in January," he said. "He's working hard every day and wants to get himself back as soon as he can."

* Wolves have appointed former winger Jon Purdie as one of two academy under-14s coaches with Ian Cranson, the ex-Stoke and Ipswich defender.

Now 43, Purdie was invited to return to the club by academy boss Kevin Thelwell after his AFC Wulfrunians under-18s side, which he manages, beat Wolves in a friendly.

* Former Wolves scout Tony Painter has joined Graham Turner at Shrewsbury.

Painter, 65, served Wolves from 1982-97 before joining Blackburn where he was until last December.

Among his finds at Wolves were Vince Bartram, Jamie Smith, Lee Naylor and Matt Murray.