McCarthy demands Wolves fight

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy has demanded a backlash from his players in tomorrow's local derby at Birmingham.

McCarthy was left fuming following Wolves' dismal FA Cup display at Crystal Palace on Tuesday when they were beaten 3-1 at Selhurst Park.

With Wolves only above the Barclays Premier League relegation zone on goal difference before the weekend's action gets under way, McCarthy has made it clear he does not expect to see a repeat of that kind of display when they face Birmingham.

McCarthy, who is set to recall Kevin Doyle, Matt Jarvis, Stephen Ward and Marcus Hahnemann to the side humbled at Palace, said: "It is the worst we have played in the three-and-a-half years I have been here.

"I never saw it coming but I am not going to dwell on it any longer.

"We have had a good response in training but the response I am requiring is on Sunday.

"The last thing I will say about it is there is only one good thing to come out of the game and that is that we can't play worse than that and we have to play better.

"It is perfect motivation for a local derby and we have played well in the Premiership.