Sylvan hoping for Wolves return

Wolves striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake has launched a 48-hour bid to take his place in plans for a promotion spectacular at Molineux.

The Championship's 24-goal top scorer has rejoined full training for the first time since suffering a pulled hamstring 11 days ago before the Birmingham game.

Ebanks-Blake was set to be the star attraction in a public training session at Molineux in the countdown to Saturday's clash against QPR.

Wolves need just a win to clinch promotion in the sell-out showdown and their top scorer is keen to prove his fitness. He said: "I'm back training again.

"It's been a hard couple of weeks just trying to get fit and back up to speed, but hopefully I'll come through without any problems and I'll be back in the fold.

"It's been a case of taking time out to make sure we get it completely right, but it feels good. We've stepped things up over the last couple of days and now training is the real test.

"If I come through it will give the gaffer a nice selection problem. We'll just have to see what happens."

Wolves have excelled in the absence of 40-goal pair Ebanks-Blake and Chris Iwelumo with shadow strikeforce Sam Vokes, Andy Keogh and on-loan Marlon Harewood coming to the fore.

But the leading marksman is desperate to rejoin the scramble for places, in what is hoped will be the promotion clincher for Mick McCarthy's Championship leaders.

The striker said: "I'd love to be involved. I want to finish on a high."

Iwelumo is also refusing to give up hope on the season and is aiming to be fit for the final game against Doncaster on May 3.

He said: "I've certainly not ruled anything out and I'm looking on the positive side of trying to be fit maybe for the last match. I'm due for injections and if the reaction's good I'll be able to start stepping things up."

Wolves' depleted strikeforce could face further disruption as Villa consider a possible recall for Marlon Harewood.

The forward is eligible to aid the club's bid to clinch promotion back to the Premier League against QPR on Saturday, but the terms of his loan deal state Villa can invoke a 24-hour recall option thereafter.

With Gabby Agbonlahor and Emile Heskey struggling with injury, boss Martin O'Neill could be tempted to recall Harewood after being impressed with his displays for the Molineux men.

By TIM NASH