Halford, O'Hara and The Doog: Wolves and Portsmouth 'played for both' XI

Ahead of Wolves’ clash with Portsmouth at Molineux this evening, the Express & Star has picked a starting 11 of players who have represented both clubs over the years.

From Wolves legend Derek ‘The Doog’ Dougan and League One title winners to players whose time at Molineux failed to live up to expectations, here is our best ‘Played For Both XI’ for Wolves and Portsmouth.

Goalkeeper: Will Norris

Wolves: 2017–2020 (1 league appearance), Portsmouth: 2023–2025 (50 league appearances)

Starting between the sticks is goalkeeper Will Norris, who had contrasting fortunes at Wolves and Portsmouth during his career.

He joined Wolves from Cambridge United in 2017 and played second fiddle to John Ruddy during the club's Championship title-winning campaign under Nuno Espirito Santo. Opportunities remained limited following promotion to the Premier League, although Norris did feature regularly in domestic cup competitions.

He found considerably more success at Portsmouth, joining in 2023 and establishing himself as their first-choice goalkeeper. Norris played a key role in Pompey's League One title-winning campaign in 2023/24, helping the club return to the Championship after 12 years away.

Defender: Greg Halford

Wolves: 2009–2011 (17 league appearances), Portsmouth: 2010–2012 (59 league appearances)

A versatile defender who was renowned for his enormous long throws, Greg Halford joined Wolves from Sunderland in 2009 following their promotion to the Premier League.

The former England under-20 international was signed by Mick McCarthy to provide competition at right-back and in midfield, but struggled to establish himself at Molineux and made just 17 Premier League appearances.

He joined Portsmouth on loan in October 2010 before making the move permanent the following summer. Halford enjoyed a more productive spell on the south coast, becoming a regular in Pompey's defence and chipping in with seven league goals during the 2011/12 campaign, although he could not prevent their relegation to League One.

Defender: Gabor Gyepes

Wolves: 2005–2007 (20 league appearances), Portsmouth: 2012–2013 (35 league appearances)

Hungarian international Gabor Gyepes arrived at Wolves from Ferencvaros in 2005, initially on loan, before making the move permanent later that year.

The centre-back featured regularly during the first half of the 2005/06 Championship campaign under Glenn Hoddle, but suffered a serious knee injury that brought his season to a premature end. He failed to make another competitive appearance for Wolves and was released in 2007.

After spells with Northampton Town and Cardiff City, Gyepes joined Portsmouth in 2012. He made 35 league appearances and scored four goals during a difficult campaign that ended with Pompey being relegated to League Two amid serious financial problems.

Defender: Sylvain Deslandes

Wolves: 2015–2020 (2 league appearances), Portsmouth: 2018 (2 league appearances)

French defender Sylvain Deslandes arrived at Wolves as a teenager in 2015 after coming through the youth ranks at Caen.

He made his senior debut in a League Cup victory over Barnet shortly after joining, but struggled to break into the first team and spent much of his time at Molineux playing for the club's under-23 side.

Deslandes joined Portsmouth on loan in January 2018 as he looked to gain more senior experience, but opportunities were limited under Kenny Jackett. He returned to Wolves at the end of the season before eventually leaving the club in 2020.

Midfielder: Jed Wallace

Wolves: 2015–2017 (18 league appearances), Portsmouth: 2011–2015 (110 league appearances)

A familiar face to Wolves supporters for his more recent exploits at West Brom, Jed Wallace had a brief and largely unsuccessful spell at Molineux earlier in his career.

He made his name at Portsmouth, coming through the club's youth ranks and establishing himself as one of the most exciting young players in League Two. His performances earned him a place in the PFA Team of the Year in 2014/15, prompting Wolves to sign him that summer.

However, Wallace struggled to make an impact under Kenny Jackett and spent much of his time away from Molineux on loan at Millwall, eventually joining the Lions permanently in 2017. He later returned to the Black Country with Albion in 2022.

Midfielder: Carl Robinson

Wolves: 1995–2002 (154 league appearances), Portsmouth: 2002–2004 (16 league appearances)

A product of Wolves' academy, Welsh international Carl Robinson spent seven years at Molineux during the club's lengthy attempts to return to the top flight.

The midfielder broke into the first team in the mid-1990s and became a regular in the side, making 154 league appearances before leaving Wolves in 2002.

He joined Portsmouth that summer, but struggled to establish himself in Harry Redknapp's side and made just 16 league appearances during his two years on the south coast.

Midfielder: Jamie O'Hara

Wolves: 2011–2014 (55 league appearances), Portsmouth: 2009–2010 (26 league appearances)

A player whose Wolves career promised so much before ending in disappointment, Jamie O'Hara initially arrived at Molineux on loan from Tottenham in January 2011.

The midfielder made an immediate impact under Mick McCarthy, scoring crucial goals against West Brom and Sunderland as Wolves narrowly avoided relegation from the Premier League. His performances earned him a permanent move that summer, but injuries and two successive relegations saw his time at the club unravel.

O'Hara had previously enjoyed a successful loan spell at Portsmouth during the 2009/10 campaign, when he helped Pompey reach the FA Cup final despite their relegation from the Premier League. He was ineligible for the Wembley showpiece against Chelsea because he was on loan from Tottenham, with Pompey eventually losing 1-0.

Midfielder: Lee Evans

Wolves: 2013–2018 (59 league appearances), Portsmouth: 2024 (4 league appearances)

Welsh midfielder Lee Evans was one of several young players to make their mark at Wolves during Kenny Jackett's successful first season in charge.

He joined the club from Newport County in 2013 and quickly established himself in the starting 11, playing an important role as Wolves stormed to the League One title with a record 103 points in 2013/14.

Evans remained at Molineux for another four years before joining Sheffield United, Wigan Athletic, Ipswich Town and then eventually Portsmouth in March 2024, where he made four league appearances as Pompey secured the League One title under John Mousinho.

Midfielder: Michael Jacobs

Wolves: 2013–2015 (43 league appearances), Portsmouth: 2020–2023 (76 league appearances)

Another key member of Kenny Jackett's record-breaking League One champions, Michael Jacobs became a popular figure at Wolves thanks to his creativity and eye for goal.

The attacking midfielder initially joined on loan from Derby County in 2013 before making the move permanent, and scored eight league goals during the promotion campaign as Wolves returned to the Championship at the first attempt.

However, Jacobs found opportunities harder to come by in the second tier and left for Wigan in 2015. After five successful years with the Latics, he joined Portsmouth in 2020 and spent three seasons at Fratton Park, scoring 12 league goals before departing in 2023.

Forward: Billy Rafferty

Wolves: 1978–1979 (44 league appearances), Portsmouth: 1980–1984 (102 league appearances)

A well-travelled Scottish striker, Billy Rafferty enjoyed a brief spell at Wolves towards the end of the 1970s before finding greater success on the south coast.

He arrived at Molineux from Carlisle United in 1978 and scored six goals in 44 First Division appearances, but spent just one season with Wolves before moving to Newcastle United.

Rafferty joined Portsmouth in 1980 and rediscovered his goalscoring touch at Fratton Park, netting 40 league goals in 102 appearances and helping Pompey win promotion from the Fourth Division in 1983.

Forward: Derek Dougan

Wolves: 1967–1975 (258 league appearances), Portsmouth: 1957–1959 (33 league appearances)

Arguably the biggest name in this starting 11, Derek Dougan remains one of the most iconic players to have worn the old gold.

The Northern Ireland international began his English football career at Portsmouth in 1957, scoring nine league goals in 33 appearances before moving to Blackburn Rovers two years later.

'The Doog' eventually arrived at Wolves from Leicester City in 1967 and made an immediate impact, scoring a hat-trick on his home debut against Hull City as the club secured promotion to the First Division.

He went on to form a formidable partnership with John Richards, helping Wolves reach the 1972 UEFA Cup final and lifting the League Cup in 1974.