McCarthy wants subdued Hughes

21 September 2010 08:00

Mick McCarthy hopes Notts County striker Lee Hughes will not be inspired by the verbal abuse he expects him to receive from the Wolves fans in tonight's Carling Cup clash at Molineux.

Hughes is likely to come in for plenty of stick because of his long and successful involvement with Wolves' local rivals West Brom.

Wolves boss McCarthy has plenty of respect for the former Oldham player and said: "I am sure Lee Hughes will get a special welcome. It might do the game good. The games can be notoriously quiet and you turn up and need something to cheer."

He added: "It always concerns me because whenever I turned up at grounds where I got abuse, it inspired me to play well.

"It never bothered me but the fans will do exactly as they please, let me tell you.

"You can't give it (abuse) as a player or a manager. You just have to wave, or a little smile, because we are not allowed to give the same amount of abuse.

"Lee is a good player, let's not forget that, and he has scored goals wherever he's been.

"You tend to find if you are a good player, and you score goals against the opposition, you do get a bit of grief."

Source: PA