Wolves sweat as new blow hits Dave Edwards

Wolves today faced an anxious wait over in-form midfielder Dave Edwards. The Wales international came off after just 32 minutes of Saturday's 4-1 defeat at Manchester United with a sore groin.

Edwards' early withdrawal saw Wolves switch tactics from 4-4-2 to 4-5-1 with the introduction of Nenad Milijas, with Kevin Doyle playing the rest of the game at wide right.

Wolves will be keeping their fingers crossed the damage isn't serious as Edwards has been in fine form since missing seven months with a serious back injury.

Top scorer Steven Fletcher, who scored his sixth goal of the season at Old Trafford, is thought to be a more minor casualty after being withdrawn for the last 20 minutes.

"We lost Edwards to a tight groin and Fletcher was just stretching his calf a little bit," said boss Mick McCarthy.

"We need Fletcher fit and we weren't going to get four goals to win the game so I thought it was wise to take him off. Fletcher's been terrific – and prolific – when he's been fit. That's why I took him off, because I need him to be prolific in the next two games as well."

McCarthy revealed he is hoping £7m club record signing Fletcher can continue being his 'silent assassin'. Fletcher's record now stands at 16 goals in just 23 Premier League starts since joining Wolves.

"That is pretty good going by anyone's standards," said McCarthy. "Maybe that's something to do with him and his personality because he doesn't court publicity. "

McCarthy admits Wolves need to get points from their next two home games.

"We've got Stoke and Norwich which we know are two big games and probably have more significance to our season (than Saturday)," he added.