Wolves pair step up recall bid

The pair played the first half of the reserves' 1-0 defeat against Chelsea at Telford's New Bucks Head in front of 905 fans.

Now they hope to have given the watching McCarthy a selection dilemma for Saturday's Molineux clash against Portsmouth.

Stearman is expected to be in contention after missing the last two games with severe bruising to his lower leg.

But Iwelumo could be forced to wait longer as last night's action was only his second outing in six months after breaking a bone in his foot following knee ligament damage against Birmingham in April.

Stearman said: "I was told I'd get the 45 minutes and then come off at half-time.

"It was good to get that under my belt and hopefully there will be no reaction.

"Last night was all about testing it out rather than a fitness thing and I came through with flying colours, so hopefully it's a case of fingers crossed for the weekend."

Of the injury, he added: "I was very lucky - it was initially feared I'd broken something in the fibula area, but thankfully it wasn't anywhere near as bad, so I'm very pleased."

Iwelumo said: "I haven't put any date on it - I've just had a few sessions - but hopefully the gaffer throws me in at the deep end and I can be involved.

"I'd take Saturday - my fitness and sharpness will come back day by day, but I just want to be back out with the boys.

"The injury feels fine and now I'm just going to work on all the little things, get my fitness right and hopefully take it by storm.

"But getting through 45 minutes was the main thing, just to see if there was any reaction. I felt good and I've just got to kick on."