Mick McCarthy today kicked off the countdown to Sunday’s biggest ever Black Country derby by insisting pride rather than Premiership riches is the driving force behind the promotion push.

Wolves battle Albion on Sunday in what promises to be an epic showdown with tensions heightened by the knowledge that a potentially history-shaping £60m prize pot will be just 90 minutes away for the winners.

But even with unprecedented riches on the horizon, the Wolves boss says the cash counts for nothing in the eyes of his players.

“It really is about being a success as a footballer for them. If you are a success the financial rewards come – but I can honestly say that is not something they’re bothered about,” he said.

“What is at stake for us is Premiership football and for my players that means more to them in terms of kudos, their careers and their standing in the game than it does in any kind of financial sense.

“The financial thing means nothing to us – absolutely diddly squat.”

McCarthy says he has seen no change in the demeanour of his Wolves young guns as they approach the most important double header of the season.

“I don’t see any reason for players to change just because it’s a Black Country derby and it’s the play-offs. They’re here every week trying their hardest and that is the reason we’re here. That shouldn’t change and it hasn’t.

“I watch them at Compton every day and they do everything full pelt – from training to playing in games.

“Whether they are trying to avoid the yellow jersey (for worst player) on a Friday morning, or whether they are trying not to have to do ten star jumps while saying ‘Super Wolves’ as a punishment, they are running around kicking lumps out of each other.”

McCarthy has given the players two days off to prepare for the Molineux leg of the double header.