McCarthy hails Wolves' pre-season

Mick McCarthy is hoping to take the wraps off a new and improved Wolves after hailing the best pre-season of his three in charge at Molineux to date.

Tomorrow's home friendly against a Blackburn Rovers outfit managed by the man he pipped to the Molineux job, gives McCarthy's team to fine tune their preparations for next weekend's Championship start.

The Wolves boss is not overly-concerned about the result against Paul Ince's Premier League team but does have his eye on a performance which will put Wolves on the front foot for the league opener at Plymouth.

He said: "I want to win, I always do, but in one sense the result doesn't concern me because it doesn't matter.

"I want to play well. I want to see the team play well because I think we can do. It's been my best pre-season at Wolves.

From the level of fitness of the players coming back, the way the new players have settled in so quickly, the fact that so many of the lads have now had that bit longer at the club and feel more comfortable here.

"I don't think it could have gone more smoothly. We've had no serious injuries and although we suddenly got two or three last week, they will all be fit for tomorrow.

"While the results don't matter the form of the team up to this point has been pleasing.

"This is a good game for us because Blackburn are a good side but I could not have asked for more at this stage."

As well as introducing new signings Sam Vokes, Richard Stearman, Chris Iwelumo and David Jones to their new home setting, the match will be of no more importance to anyone than Ian Harte, who is trying to win a Molineux contract.

McCarthy has room in his budget to make additions but has no offers lodged with clubs at the moment.

He said: "If I had to go into the season with this group I would not be upset.

Young defender Lee Collins is being sent out on loan to Port Vale until the January transfer window.