Mick McCarthy today kicked off the countdown to the Championship heavyweight collision between Wolves and Birmingham by challenging his side to inflict “real damage” to their immediate pursuers’ automatic promotion hopes.

Leaders Wolves have the chance to go eight points clear of second-placed Blues at St Andrew’s in Monday’s eagerly-awaited showdown, after which there is five games left for the top two.

And while the derby is a chance for each side to hit the other’s hopes, Wolves boss McCarthy wants his side to make the most of their final game against one of the promotion challengers this season.

Wolves’ other matches are against relegation-threatened Southampton – whose parent company went into administration yesterday – Barnsley and mid-table trio QPR, Derby and Doncaster.

By contrast, Blues face Preston and Reading – on the final day – while the Royals also play in-form Sheffield United in fourth.

The Blades also clash with Burnley, who must play Cardiff, while the Bluebirds also face Preston as all the top seven get the chance to take points off each other.

“I don’t look at our games and think they are any easier or harder, but we can do real damage on Monday to the opposition, whereas if you’re playing Southampton or Derby, you can’t,” said McCarthy.

“This is our last game against one of top five sides and we can put distance between us (Wolves and Blues) if we win.”

Nevertheless, McCarthy believes Wolves underestimate the opposition in their other games at their peril.

“I know we’re not playing against any (more) of our direct competitors,” he said.

“But we’re still playing games where there’s real sense of importance. If anyone can give us any help it would be greatly appreciated!”

By TIM NASH