Wolverhampton Wanderers FC

• Nickname:
• Founded:1877
• Manager:Mick McCarthy

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Preview: Wolves v Liverpool

25 Jan 2010 - 14:31:11

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Liverpool make the trip to the Midlands and Wolverhampton Wanderers as they look to continue their Premier League revival that has hoisted them back into top-four contention.

The two sides met at Anfield on Boxing Day and a hard fought 2-0 success for the Reds acted as the catalyst for their return to form in the league.

Steven Gerrard and Yossi Benayoun goals inflicted the damage that day and manager Rafael Benitez will be hoping for more of the same this time around.

Benitez is likely to be without his match-winning duo with Gerrard (hamstring) and Benayoun (rib) struggling to find fitness.

However, Gerrard may be included in the squad despite being expected to be sidelined until at least the weekend.

Following the festive period win, Liverpool have since defeated Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur and picked up a point at Stoke City.

Daniel Agger (groin), Fernando Torres (knee cartilage), Glen Johnson (knee ligament) and Nabil El Zhar (ankle) are also finding the going tough to return to first-team action ahead of the midweek clash.

Mick McCarthy's Wolves are finding themselves in a relegation battle as many expected this season.

They sit in 17th spot and just one place outside the drop zone, although they do have a game in hand over Hull City, who sit directly directly below them.

Any positive result for the Molineux-based side would be a massive bonus in their quest to stay in the league, but they must do without the service of Andy Keogh (sprained ankle), Michael Kightly (ankle), long-term absentee Matt Murray (knee), David Edwards (ankle) and towering forward Stefan Maierhofer (groin).

New French midfielder signing Adlene Guediora has joined from Belgian outfit Charleroi and the 24-year-old could feature after penning a loan deal until the end of the season.

With fixtures against relegation threatened rivals Hull City and West Ham United on their travels after the Liverpool showdown, McCarthy and his men may have half an eye on these important meetings with Premier League survival at the top of the agenda.