Wolves boss is ready to play Aston Villa striker against Birmingham City
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has hinted he could throw new loan signing Marlon Harewood straight into the starting line-up for Monday night's crucial clash at title challengers Birmingham.
McCarthy has doubts over several of his strikers, including top scorer Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, who on Sunday was named the Coca-Cola Championship's player of the year for his 24 goals in 30 league games this season.
Harewood may not have played much first-team football at Aston Villa this season but McCarthy has no worries about his fitness, describing him as "as fit as a flea".
"There's no point in me having any preconceived ideas of what I'm going to do, with Chris Iwelumo and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake having treatment and Sam Vokes and Andy Keogh to come back from internationals," he told www.wolves.co.uk.
"I told Marlon when he came here not to expect to get straight into the team - but that's not to say he won't.
"He's got all the abilities to have a big impact.
"He wants to get back playing football which he hasn't been able to do because the team has been winning. Like everyone else who goes out on loan, he's hungry to play."
Wolves are five points clear of the Blues with six games to go, and the chasing pack could close in on the pair over the weekend.
Third-place Reading, four points behind Birmingham, travel to Coventry tomorrow while Sheffield United host Ipswich.
Cardiff could strengthen their position in the play-off positions when they take on Welsh rivals Swansea in the live televised game on Sunday lunchtime.
