Switch article view:Match preview Injury-hit Wolves take on West Brom in Black Country battle
By Julian Shea.
Kick off Sunday 12 February 2012 at 13:30, Molineux Stadium.
Timing is everything, and after nine league games without a win, what better time to lift spirits with a rare away win than the week before you face your biggest rivals?
Wolves' surprise 2-1 win over QPR last weekend ensured the Londoners are not out of reach in the struggle for survival, and also lifted Mick McCarthy's side out of the drop zone just in time for the visit of neighbours West Brom.
The victory came at a cost, though, as on-loan midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong suffered a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Fellow midfielder Karl Henry serves the last game of his three-match suspension, and MIchael Kightly is out with a back injury.
Jamie O'Hara (groin) and Dave Edwards (thigh) both need fitness tests, and Adlene Guedioura is unavailable following his loan move to Nottingham Forest, but some welcome news comes with the fact that Ronald Zubar is on the mend after missing the last six league games with medial ligament damage, and could start on the bench.
As for visitors West Brom, they face a nervous wait to see if striker Shane Long will be fit after suffering from chest pains, coming just after a back problem.
A late decision will also be taken on Graham Dorrans, who has a hip problem, but new signing Keith Andrews could well be involved. Liam Ridgewell may have to wait, though, because he is lacking match-fitness.Listen to our football experts Russ Williams, Jim Proudfoot and Ian Wright for a look ahead to the weekend's games in Friday's edition of Ian Wright's podcast.
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