Preview: Town – Wolves

By Aston
February 20 2007

STB brings you team news, manager previews, betting odds and officials ahead of Towns game against Wolves tonight (KO 7:45pm).

Town are still with out Gavin Williams, Richard Naylor and Fabian Wilnis but Alan Lee, Jon Walters, Owen Garvan and Jason De Vos are all back in the squad after missing the trip to Watford on Saturday. O’Callaghan has his red card overturned and is free to play.

 

Town Squad: Bruce, Casement, Clarke, Currie, De Vos, Garvan, Harding, Haynes, Lee, Legwinski, O'Callaghan, Peters, Price, Richards, Roberts, Sito, Supple, Trotter, Walters, Wright.

 

Town manager Jim Magilton: “We have got to stand up to a good Wolves side, we need to get back to winning ways and find the right tempo that makes us a match for anyone.

 

“It is a game we must treat as important as a cup final, there have been times when we have been guilty of not taking the initiative in the final third, but we were better in this department in our last two matches, there is no glory in defeat and even though we were glorious at Watford the record books will show we went out in the fifth round.

 

“Our support was magnificent and carried us for the 90 minutes and in particular the second half when we were down to ten men.

 

“Our lads responded to that and we want that again.

 

“Wolves have bought well and they are on a surge, they have the play-offs at least on their mind and Stephen Ward and Andy Keogh doing well up front.”

 

Wolves could be without midfielder Michael Kightly who picked up a knock in Wolves win against Burnley on Saturday, Gary Breen is available again after serving a 3 match ban.

 

Kightly is confident he can overcome a hip problem, while at the back Gary Breen returns from a three-match ban and Jody Craddock is in contention.

 

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy: “They're a young side and Jim Magilton has taken over and made a lot of changes as well as being without his experienced players for one reason or another.

 

“He seems to be getting the best of his young players who have come through and they've got a bit of pace in the side.

 

“What isn’t in doubt is that they will try to play football.

 

“There’ll be disappointment because no doubt they’d have loved to still be in it and at least have a replay to look forward to.

 

“But sometimes you just have to take the positives and get back to doing what you’re doing.

 

“They’ll certainly be out to turn us over and will see it as an opportunity to get their league form going.”

 

Betting Odds (found using Sportsnetwork Odds Checker):

Town: 3/2

Draw: 9/4

Wolves: 19/10

 

Referee: S W Mathieson

Assistants: C J Francis and M D Stewart

Fourth Official: D D Bushell

 

Sources: Evening Star and Birmingham Mail

 

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