Wolverhampton V Leeds at Molineux Stadium : Match Preview

08 February 2013 15:01
Wolverhampton V Leeds - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Johnson still banned for Wolves

Roger Johnson serves the second game of his three-match ban as Wolves host Leeds aiming for that elusive first win under boss Dean Saunders.

The centre-back missed last Thursday's 2-1 defeat at Leicester having been given his marching orders in the loss at Blackpool.

Defender Stephen Ward returned from a neck strain to line up at the King Power Stadium and suffered no ill-effects.

Wolves are desperate for three points as they strive to drag themselves away from the drop zone and the likes of Kevin Doyle, Slawomir Peszko and Dave Edwards all come into contention for recalls.

Long-term absentees Razak Boukari and Stephen Hunt are unlikely to be deemed ready to return just yet, while Wayne Hennessey and George Elokobi continue their long rehabilitation.

Transfer deadline-day signings Steve Morison and Stephen Warnock could both make their debuts for Leeds, but Ross McCormack is doubtful.

Striker Morison joined the club last week as part of the player-plus-cash deal that saw Luciano Becchio move to Norwich, but was sidelined against Cardiff due to a thigh injury, while defender Warnock was an unused substitute.

McCormack was withdrawn from Gordon Strachan's Scotland squad in midweek through illness, but is feeling better and could play a part, while manager Neil Warnock is hoping Rudy Austin returns fit and well from Jamaica's goalless World Cup qualifier in Mexico.

Fellow midfielder Paul Green and defender Tom Lees have both returned unscathed from international duty with the Republic of Ireland and England Under-21s respectively.

Habib Habibou, another deadline-day arrival, is hoping to play a bigger part after he made his debut last week when replacing El-Hadji Diouf against Cardiff.

Boss Warnock, who has no new injury or suspension problems, also has the option of recalling midfielders David Norris and Michael Tonge, plus defender Jason Pearce.

Source: PA