Wolves boss to blood Belgium ace

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy is ready to thrust new signing Geoffrey Mujangi Bia straight into the first-team picture.

But McCarthy has categorically denied making any inquiry or offer for Stoke's striker James Beattie.

The Belgium international has become Wolves' first signing during the January transfer window, initially on loan from Charleroi with a view to a £2million permanent deal.

The 20-year-old winger will go straight into the squad for Saturday's FA Cup fourth round meeting with Crystal Palace at Molineux.

But McCarthy also plans to involve him instantly in the club's battle for Barclays Premier League survival.

He said: "Geoffrey will go straight into my plans. He will be involved on Saturday if we get clearance but he will also be involved immediately in the Premier League.

"He is quick, can play on the left or right but also down the middle and in training today I was very pleased with what I saw.

"With Michael Kightly having been injured, there has been a lot of onus on Matt Jarvis but Geoffrey can also do that job for us out on the wing."

McCarthy has been strongly linked with a bid for Beattie, who has fallen out of favour with Stoke manager Tony Pulis.

But the former Republic of Ireland boss claimed: "There have been no discussions at all about James Beattie. There have been no discussions with Beattie and none between Wolves and Stoke about him.

"I was amused the other day when I saw the story spreading. I was agog at it all."

McCarthy confirmed that Kightly and former Shrewsbury Town midfilder Dave Edwards have not recovered sufficiently from ankle problems to be risked against Palace.