Mick McCarthy has called on Wolves to “play the game and not the occasion” ahead of tonight’s Black Country derby against West Brom at Molineux.Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Bristol City has left Wolves three points adrift of the play-offs but with two games in hand over many of their rivals.

A point would take Albion back to the top of the table but McCarthy believes his players can shrug off the hype and dent their neighbours’ automatic promotion hopes.

“We’re masters of our own destiny,” McCarthy said.

“I’ve said before that I’d rather be playing teams around us in the table rather than a relegated team who can come here with the pressure off and play free-flowing football.

“The games against Albion have been ultra-competitive and very good football matches, with no bad feeling spilling over.

“Albion and ourselves will be fully aware of each others’ strengths and weaknesses but I tend to concentrate on the way we perform.

“We have plenty in our locker for them to worry about. I understand they have scored plenty of goals but they have conceded a few more than us.

“It might be a time for not going round worrying but to remind my players: ‘You have been playing well, go and play, go and do it.’

Karl Henry will continue to miss out for Wolves after failing to recover from a knee injury.

West Brom keeper Dean Kiely will put friendship on hold for the game. Kiely is good friends with Wolves defender Gary Breen, but he is determined to get the better of his former Republic of Ireland team-mate.