McCarthy sets keeper challenge

Wolves boss happy with choice between the posts

Last updated: 6th October 2008

wayne hennessey wolves

Hennessey: Left on the bench

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Mick McCarthy has warned goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey that he faces a battle to win his place back at Molineux.

The Wales international was dropped for Saturday's 3-1 defeat at Swansea after Wolves boss McCarthy arrived at the conclusion his goalkeeper had looked 'jaded' in recent weeks.

Hennessey has given a penalty away, been sent off and scored an own goal in his past two appearances; a catalogue of errors that led to Carl Ikeme being promoted from Wolves' reserves to make only his second league start for the club.

With Matt Murray also approaching full fitness, McCarthy admits Hennessey will have to be at his best to reclaim a place in his starting XI.

"We've got three very good keepers and there's not a lot between any of the three of them. We've got a genuine battle now and it would be nice to have three players in every position of that quality," McCarthy told the Express and Star.

Jaded

"I spoke to Wayne and just felt he looked knackered and jaded on Tuesday night and he'd admit that. Things weren't happening for him.

"I wouldn't say he was particularly out of form, but he's had almost 18 months of pretty constant football including summer internationals. We expect a lot of our young players.

"In his first season he got Player of the Year, got into the PFA team and got all the plaudits and it's then a question of can he keep that level of consistency going?

Challenge

"He's the Welsh No.1. He's still a fantastic keeper but I've got a squad of players and I thought Carl was excellent.

"Wayne has got to react and be part of it, which he will do. He's got the No.1 shirt at the moment and he took it (decision) like a man in the right way.

"He'll get himself back in, I'm sure."