McCarthy gives Michael Kightly a fitness deadline of January

Mick McCarthy has told Michael Kightly he must prove his fitness by January to play any part in Wolves' Premier League campaign, writes MARTIN SWAIN.

The winger, sidelined for almost a year, is recovering from another operation on his injured knee and is hoping to be added to Wolves' plans for the second half of the season. McCarthy can make changes to his 25-man Premier League squad during the January transfer window.

But the Molineux boss has hinted strongly that he will not add Kightly to the group unless he is fit by the end of the window, even if there is hope of him recovering later in the season.

McCarthy said: "Kights has had his operation and is very positive about it. It was on one of his knees and he goes back to see the surgeon in six weeks time.

"He's only had keyhole surgery, which is not as intrusive.

"He's not out for the season, not at all, but he'll have to be fit for January 31 to get into the squad for us.

"There's always the opportunity to go on loan somewhere else after that but I want him playing for me because he's a very good player."

Meanwhile, McCarthy welcomes Karl Henry back into his plans today admitting the "dangerous play" row had harmed his team's Premier League campaign.

Henry has completed a three-match ban for the red card challenge on Wigan's Jordi Gomez.

"I think the whole issue has died down in the media, although I've got to say that it has had an effect.

"I go to games now and the crowd are roaring for a foul or booking at every challenge. It's changing the way the game is played."