Wolves' Karl Henry will be fit

Captain Karl Henry is set to hand Wolves a festive boost by being fit for Boxing Day as boss Mick McCarthy played a waiting game with his legion of casualties.

Henry is making excellent progress from the slight tear of his medial ligament sustained in the 2-1 defeat at Blackpool on November 20.

But although the midfielder definitely misses Sunday's eagerly-awaited first top flight Black Country derby for over 26 years, McCarthy hasn't ruled him out of the Wigan game a week later.

"Karl's going to be fit quicker than any of us originally thought, but he has no chance of being fit for this weekend," said McCarthy. "As to whether he'll be ready for Boxing Day, I don't know yet. I'm not ruling him out.

"I'm more concerned with my immediate team, but Karl will be back with us when he's ready and fit."

McCarthy was without 11 players for Sunday's 1-0 win over Birmingham.

And although fringe players Marcus Bent and David Davis are available again after ineligibility and a three-match ban respectively, the manager said it's too early to say if any of Steven Mouyokolo, Michael Mancienne, David Jones, Matt Jarvis or Kevin Doyle will be fit to face Albion.