Michael Gray: A point will do for Wolves survival bid

Michael Gray can't be split over Sunderland and Wolves this weekend.

But one thing is for sure in his mind — that the point he believes Wolves will gain will be enough to retain their Premier League status.

"I'm going for a 1-1 draw — but I think the point that Wolves will get from the game will be enough to keep them up," said Gray, who at 36, is almost a year into retirement and now a commentator after an illustrious 602-game career that included 12 years at Sunderland and almost two at Wolves.

"But Wolves can't think like that — they have to get everything they can from these last two games and if they could get three points on Saturday that would be fantastic. It would be great to see them stop up because they're a great group of lads.

"I'm a Sunderland fan because I grew up there but I had a fantastic time at Wolves and made a lot of friends there. I enjoyed a great relationship with the fans, so I want to see them in the Premier League next season.

"Wolves need the points more, so I really hope they can something from the game. They go to Sunderland with Mick going back to his old club where he is held in great esteem."

As much as anything, Gray wants Wolves to remain in the Premier League as reward for Mick McCarthy, who brought him to Molineux after he played under him at Sunderland and still has many of the players he brought in Gray's time flourishing in his squad.

"You have to give Mick credit," he said.

"He has given a lot of players a chance who might not have ever thought they would have an opportunity of playing in the Premier League.

"People like Michael Kightly, Karl Henry, Stephen Ward and Matt Jarvis who the scouting system saw and Mick will have done his homework on. He has been fantastic for them."