McCarthy predicts big things from Wolves supersub Vokes
Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Mick McCarthy has hailed his teenage supersub Sam Vokes and believes the 18-year-old will have a big part to play in Wolves’s push for promotion.
Saturday’s two-goal hero looks set to start on the bench against Crystal Palace tonight despite making a match-winning impact as a substitute for Wolves at Charlton Athletic.
The Wales international has only seen 38 minutes of action for Wanderers but has already scored three goals this season and McCarthy has been delighted by the teenager’s performances.
“There was a lot of interest in Sam from a lot of clubs but we were the ones to put our money where our mouth is,” McCarthy said.
“By recognising him as a good player through the scouting system it has paid off again. The problem is, with Premiership clubs, they would go and sign Sam Vokes and loan him out.
“Premiership fans wouldn’t find him sexy enough would they? That’s the problem – fans demand you spend £32 million and if it all goes belly-up it’s a sad state of affairs.
“It’s Sam now, it was Michael Kightly 18 months ago. Stephen Ward came from Bohemians and has done fantastic so we have gone into that market and had success.
“He was never a shrinking violet but he has come into the club at 18 and is a lovely guy and has fitted in really well.”
Wanderers have a host of injury concerns ahead of tonight’s clash with Palace at Molineux. The Championship leaders will assess minor knocks to Chris Iwelumo, Andy Keogh, Matt Jarvis and Stephen Ward, and McCarthy has revealed new signing Matt Hill has strained a medial ligament in his knee during training last week and will be sidelined for three to four weeks.
Iwelumo was set to face his former club Charlton Athletic at The Valley on Saturday but was withdrawn after he felt a twinge in his groin.
“Chris was suffering from a tight groin so whether he’s fit we’ll have to see,” McCarthy said. “We’ll give him every chance.
“We’ve got a few other slight problems – Matt Jarvis has also got a tight groin and Andy Keogh got a kick on the ankle when we were awarded the penalty. Stephen Ward has also got a few bumps and bruises but he should be okay.”
The news on left-back George Elokobi, who has been ruled out for the season, was also positive. Elokobi suffered a serious knee injury during the 2-0 win at Ipswich Town and has now undergone surgery, which McCarthy said had been a success
“I spoke to George on the way back from the game on Saturday,” he said. “He’s had his operation and is now just waiting to start his rehabilitation.
“He’s had his anterior cruciate ligament repaired and the damage wasn’t as extensive as they thought so we was quite pleased. He’ll be out a long time, we’re looking at pre-season next year, but he’s such a positive guy he’ll probably break the world record for coming back!”
n Chris Coleman’s search for a right back is set to continue after the Coventry City manager conceded defeat in his attempt to sign former Aston Villa defender Ulises De La Cruz.
The Sky Blues, who head to Brammall Lane to face Sheffield United tonight, are without a natural right-back after summer signing Stephen Wright suffered an Achilles injury last month. Wright is set to be out for up to another six weeks.
Coleman has been playing Icelandic midfielder Aron Gunnarsson in the position in recent games but on Saturday in the goalless draw against Preston North End at the Ricoh Arena, was forced to play midfielder Isaac Osbourne in the role.
De La Cruz trained with Coventry last week and looked set to sign a short-term contract, but the deal collapsed over the weekend.
“That’s finished now and unfortunately I can’t see that being resurrected,” Coleman said.
