Boss Joe Royle was happy with his side's performance despite their defeat at Wolves but slammed the immigration department for the work permit problems which prevented Ricardo Fuller from making his debut. The Town manager had no complaints with the penalty decision.

Royle said: "I've been delighted by our performance, mystified by the referee's performance and floored by the immigration department.

"Ricardo Fuller was signed yesterday and registered in time to play, but then some jobsworth at the immigration department decides we need a new work permit.

"I know of other loan players who have moved between clubs without work permit problems, but in this case it seems Ricardo's work permit is not transferable.

Royle was generally unimpressed with referee Andy Woolmer but had no argument with the penalty award: "The one thing the referee did manage to get right this afternoon was the penalty. I can't dispute that.

"But there was no need for the challenge. Our little right-back has been outstanding for us but when he does make a mistake, there is a tendency for the ball to end up in the back of our net.

"And that was the only way I could see Wolves scoring - from a penalty, a corner or a freekick."

Town's cause was not helped by more injury problems, Scott Barron limping off just after the break with a calf injury and Jaime Peters injuring his knee when fouled by Lee Naylor soon after being introduced. The Canadian will have a scan to check out the extent of the problem.

The Blues were already without Jimmy Juan who picked up a groin injury in training on Friday, which will keep him out of action for two to three weeks. There was further injury woe with the news that Gavin Williams will remain unavailable for three or four weeks with bruising to the bone around the knee, having recovered from his shin and ankle problems.

Wolves boss Glenn Hoddle said that press coverage of recent comments made by chairman Rick Hayward were overhyped: "I read a transcript of what the chairman said and there were actually a lot of positive things, but after a 1-1 draw with Crewe, people only want to pick out the negatives.

"I've always said this is not a sprint, this is like the Grand National, and at some stage of the season we would end up going on a run.

"We're coming to the business stage of the season and if we can go up to Hull and do something by getting a third victory, that will go a long way to restoring some belief here and may be making a few other people sit up and take notice.

"The downside is that we're picking up a lot of injuries at a key stage of the season."

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