Mick looking for more 'needle'

The two Wanderers have enjoyed some feisty clashes down the years, perhaps none more so than the 1995 play-off semi-final when Bolton pipped Wolves over two legs in a no-holds-barred clash at Burnden Park.

The return of former Albion boss Gary Megson, his assistant the ex-Wolves Academy director Chris Evans and player Mark Davies is bound to stoke up the Molineux atmosphere a few notches, while the clubs are still waiting to hear the outcome after Wolves reported Bolton to the FA and Premier League over an illegal approach for Molineux scholar Mark Connolly.

Bolton hold the edge in recent years with Wolves winning just three of the 14 games between the two since Graham Taylor kicked off his reign with a 3-1 win in March 1994.

But McCarthy has challenged his players to cash in on any ill-feeling between the two clubs. "It's about time we didn't get on with anybody, isn't it?" said the Wolves boss.

"It's down to me and the players – to create a spark, absolutely. We can't rely on people to keep turning up and setting us off, it's down to us to create the spark."

Wolves fans' dislike of Megson peaked in the infamous 2002 promotion battle when he led Albion to the Premier League as Dave Jones's side collapsed at the final hurdle.

Any ill-feeling won't extend to the managers on Saturday, with McCarthy having enjoyed many battles as player and manager with Megson.

"I'm friendly with Gary, he's a good lad," said McCarthy.

"I played against him for years and I've managed against him.

"But he's still fighting a battle, like myself and everybody else!"

McCarthy admitted his players must go some way to restore fans' confidence in the team after the poor first half performance and 1-0 defeat against Birmingham.

"It was our low point of the season because of our performance and the result," he said.

"The result of course is paramount, but the performance was poor as well. It's a matter of redressing the balance this weekend."