Wolves confidence high on avoiding drop

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy does not think a bottom-place team has ever been so confident of beating relegation.

McCarthy’s side are currently bottom with six games left. But, because of the nature of this season’s Premier League, Wolves are still just eight points away from a place in the top 10.

That’s why the manager is adamant his side are still well set to stay up this season.

Ahead of Saturday’s visit of Fulham, McCarthy said: “There has never been a time that the bottom team could feel so confident that they can get out of it – which we are.”

“It’s so tight still and it’s in our hands – we’ve got a game in hand away at Stoke on Tuesday so there’s still everything to play for.”

“Everyone still thinks they have a chance of getting out of it and we have to maintain that belief.”

“We’ve worked on being solid and trying to keep a clean sheet and let’s hope it works.

“There’s no point leaving the back door open.”

“It’s important to stay in games and not concede because when you do, it’s tough to get one back.”

McCarthy is likely to put striker Sam Vokes on to the bench after he was recalled from his loan spell at Norwich on Friday.

The forward is back at his parent club following injuries to Kevin Doyle (knee) and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, who suffered a hamstring injury in their 3-0 defeat to Everton on April 9.

Doyle has started light training and could yet make a return from his knee ligament injury before the end of the season but defender George Elokobi will miss the rest of the season after tearing his hamstring in training last week.

McCarthy will also be able to call upon midfielder Stephen Hunt, who has returned to full training less than a fortnight after a hernia operation.