Wolves look to see off Championship opponents Crystal Palace in their fourth round FA Cup tie at Molineux.
McCarthy in two minds heading into fourth round clash
Wolves look to see off Championship opponents Crystal Palace in their fourth round FA Cup tie at Molineux on Saturday.
Mick McCarthy will no doubt have his side's Premier League status in mind when he prepares for the visit of Palace.
The Midlands club have endured a troubled season in the top flight, winning just five of their 21 games since sealing promotion from the Championship.
Their priorities will surely lie in Premier League survival as they near a crunch string of fixtures against beleagured Liverpool and fellow strugglers Hull City and West Ham.
They will, however, fancy their chances on home soil against a side who, themselves, may be focusing on other targets.
Defeat to Wigan at Molineux last time out will far from fill the squad with confidence, nor will the fact that they have lost their last three league games.
With that in mind, many would expect McCarthy to rest a number of key players, especially with a triple-header of make-or-break fixtures fast approaching.
Palace, themselves, will have their league targets in mind heading into Saturday's fourth-round fixture.
They sit just one point outside of the play-off positions and have massively boosted their promotion prospects with a solid run in the second tier of English football.
Their recent away form reads well - they have lost just one of their last seven games on the road.
Unbeaten in their last five games, they will be in confident mood ahead of the trip to Molineux where Wolves have won a measly three games all season.
Team news
Wolves new boy Geoffrey Mujangi Bia could be in line to make his debut at Molineux.
The talented winger completed a loan switch from RSC Charleroi which will see him at the club at least until the end of the season.
McCarthy will be forced into at least one change with full-back Richard Stearman suspended following his red card against Wigan.
Although many expect him to bring in a number of fresh faces at the weekend, it is worth noting he played nine of his current starting Xl in the 1-0 win over Tranmere just a few days ago.
Striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake should maintain his place despite suffering a dry spell on goal.
Palace's Victor Moses is expected to leave the club soon and subsequently could be rested knowing his price tag would drop should he become cup-tied.
Calvin Andrew could step in once again having scored in the 2-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday in the third round.
