Wolves set to let Lewis out on loan

Oct 17 2007 By Paul Berry, Birmingham Mail

LEWIS Gobern will be allowed out on loan for some much needed match practice when he returns to fitness, Wolves boss Mick McCarthy confirmed today.

Gobern, for whom last week's Birmingham Senior Cup clash at Nuneaton provided his first football since last December, had been set to join Crewe on a month's loan until a slight hamstring problem scuppered the deal.

But once that clears up, McCarthy wants the winger to prove his form and fitness whether at Crewe or elsewhere before returning to Molineux to fight for his place.

"I spoke to Steve Holland (Crewe first team coach) about Lewis because he said he was after that sort of player," said McCarthy.

"I suggested he go and watch him at Nuneaton but it didn't go any further because of the circumstances. But Lewis needs games so something like that would definitely be good for him."

And McCarthy is ready to entertain the idea of sending more of his returning young players out on loan, but warned: "The circumstances must be right."

He added: "Someone like Mark Little played 20-odd games in the Championship last year so I wouldn't want him to go just anywhere."

"And when we've got a few injuries like at the moment I'm loathe to send him out because he is fully fit and could go straight into the team.

"Lewis is a different ball game because he's not had any football and is behind Michael Kightly and Matt Jarvis now as well."

McCarthy confirmed Mark Davies is still training and working up to the necessary level required to play a reserve game.