Edwards back in reckoning for Villa clash

Wales international Edwards has been sidelined since undergoing ankle surgery in December after he was injured against Tottenham but made his comeback for the reserves against Arsenal on Wednesday.

Scotland international Iwelumo is back after a loan spell at Bristol City that boosted his match fitness following foot problems this season.

Manager Mick McCarthy has shrugged off the alleged criticism of him from striker Stefan Maierhofer.

Austrian international Maierhofer, who joined Bristol City on loan earlier this week, was reported to have slammed McCarthy for his lack of action at Molineux.

Maierhofer has only started two games since his arrival from Rapid Vienna in a £1.8m move last summer, but Wolves believe his comments have been lost in translation.

McCarthy said: "I have been made aware of the comments and as ever I would always like to hear the recording because I don't believe everything that is put down on paper.

"I haven't heard it from him and I am not bothered. The ones who aren't playing are always going to have a chew.

"Good luck to him. Go and prove me wrong and him right by scoring five or six goals in the next month and have a blinding time at Bristol City and then come back."

Rather than dealing with Maierhofer, McCarthy's focus is solely on trying to steer Wolves to Barclays Premier League survival.

They face Aston Villa at Villa Park on Saturday, boosted by a crucial win against relegation rivals Burnley last weekend.

But McCarthy added: "We won't stay up with the points that we have got. What we need is the similar performances that we have had over recent weeks."