Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has defended his decision to axe last season’s leading scorer Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and believes he has shown the player more than a fair share of loyalty.

Ebanks-Blake scored 25 times last season in helping Wolves gain promotion from the Coca-Cola Championship.

But the former Plymouth player has only netted one penalty in the Barclays Premier League this season and was not even amongst the substitutes for Tuesday’s goalless draw at home with Liverpool.

McCarthy confirmed that Ebanks-Blake will be travelling to the north east with the squad for tomorrow’s vital relegation battle with Hull, but believes he made the right decision in leaving him out against the Reds.

McCarthy said: “Sylvan is a striker who has got his kudos in the game from scoring goals.

“He has played well in some games this season but it does come to the point where it is not getting easier to score and he has to come out of the side.

“You can show a player loyalty, support and encouragement and I have played him for around 18 of the last 20 games.

“But eventually you have to think about making a change.”

Hull boss Phil Brown has again insisted there will be no “fire sale” as they attempt to arrest their financial problems.

Reports have suggested the cash-strapped Tigers are prepared to transfer-list their entire squad in the hope of clearing debts of £9m.

Yet while chairman Adam Pearson has spoken of the need to move out fringe players and slash the wage bill by £6m, Brown does not intend to offload his stars.

Hull have already shown their resolve by rejecting three bids from Wolves for influential winger Stephen Hunt, the latest of which was £4m, and Brown is anxious to keep the 29-year-old.

Brown said: “There are a number of clubs interested in Stephen Hunt, if they think there is a fire sale at this club.

“Consequently we have stood in the way of that, saying he is not for sale.

“Stephen is a good player at this level. I think everyone likes his attitude, his character and the way he plays the game.

“Everybody wants a piece of that and I have had numerous phone calls from manager enquiring, ‘are we selling?’ – and the answer is no.”

By JOHN CURTIS