Wolves boss Mick McCarthy says he is optimistic that his side can beat the Blues at Molineux in Saturday's crunch play-off clash, despite their 1-0 derby defeat to West Brom on Tuesday evening. McCarthy felt the result flattered Tony Mowbray's side.

McCarthy said: "I didn't think it was a particularly fair result. They took the chance that mattered.

"I thought the game was a terrific football match. Both teams going for it. They had good chances, we had good chances. I'm immensely proud of the way we played, the players gave every last drop. I thought we could have got something out of it.

"It could have been 4-4 as 1-0. I'm delighted with the way we played but no one's interested in that when we have lost to West Bromwich Albion.

"We have lost to West Brom. We can't do anything about that now. We can do something about Saturday. I think we can go into that game against Ipswich quite buoyant because of the way we have played.

"I'm bullish about Saturday because of the way we have played. People seem to think that confidence and ability comes and goes with one performance. I'm not sure about that. We shall have to wait and see."

McCarthy says winger Michael Kightly, who has been out of action with an ankle injury, could return to action against the Blues.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa are the latest Premier League club to have been linked with a possible summer move for Danny Haynes. The derby day hero has previously been mentioned in connection with Wigan, West Ham, Birmingham, Portsmouth and Everton.

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