TAYLOR OUT FOR 12 MONTHS?

Wolves boss Colin Lee has revealed that midfielder Scott Taylor could be out for a year. The news has shocked everybody at Molienux. Taylor was brought off against Tranmere yesterday. Colin Lee said, "Scott looks to have ruptured the patella tendon in his right leg. He could be out for six to 12 months and it was the saddest part of the afternoon. The lads are devastated for him." He did not critize the performance and said they deserved more.

BARLOW PENALTY SECURES WIN

Wolves crashed to their thrid consecutive defeat going down 2-1 at Molineux against Tranmere. A Stuart Barlow penalty gave Rovers the three points on 82 minutes after Wolves captain Kevin Muscat was sent off. Carl Robinson gave Wolves the lead after 13 minutes but Tranmere skipper Wayne Allison equalised just before half time. There was further disappointment for Wolves when midfielder Scott Taylor was stretchered off the field with a leg injury.
Wolves: Oakes , Bazeley , Emblen , Green (Branch 79) , Muscat , Naylor , Robinson , Sedgley , S. Taylor (Osborn 60) , Proudlock (Lescott 88) , R. Taylor

DEFENDER WON'T COME IN TIME

Colin Lee looks set to sign a French defender- but not in time for tommorows game against Tranmere. The player was recommended by Ludo Pollet and Lee flew to France with Jez Moxey on Wednesday. But it seems unlikely whether the player will be ready to face Rovers at Molineux.

BOSS BANKING ON RETURNS

Wolves hope to see the return of some players from injury. Utility man Neil Emblen looks like he is getting fitter whilst Michael Branch, Simon Osborn and Andy Sinton are also making strong recoveries. But Ketsbaia and Ndah are ruled out as is French defender Ludovic Pollet.

WOLVES TO PAY FINES

Wolves look set to pay up the fine for the sending off of Jolene Lescott against Oxford and the other 6 bookings received. The fine will be £5,000. Jez Moxey feels hard done by but commented, "It's all part of the game."

SAMI STILL WAITING!

Sami Al-Jaber is still waiting for clearance to play for Wolves. He arrived at Molineux on Wednesday raring to go and has trained with his new team mates. But the Saudi £1.5 million signing has not had international clearance yet although he has been granted a work permit. Colin Lee is disappointed with the situation and said, "We were led to believe it was only a formality getting clearance but sadly we are still waiting."

ALDRIDGE DETERMINED

Tranmere boss John Alridge wants his side to keep focused and continue their good form. After seeing off Halifax in the Worthington Cup, Aldridge feels there will be a tough challenge againsy Wolves. He said, "Winning is a good habit to get into and hopefully we can create chances at Molineux. But we also know we have to defend better against Wolves because there was a period in the Halifax game when we weren't too convincing at the back."

MARINERS IN CUP

Wolves have been drawn against Grimsby Town in the 2nd Round of the Worthington Cup. Wolves beat Oxford 3-2 on aggregate and Grimsby beat Carlisle 3-1 on aggregate. The first leg will be held at Blundell Park, Cleethorpes on 19th September. The second leg is the following Tuesday. There is definitely going to be a tense atmosphere in my house- My Dad's been a Grimsby fan for 30 years!

DEFENDER TO SIGN?

Sources indicate that Wolves will be signing a top defender soon. The player is believed to be French and under the recomendation of Wolves star Ludo Pollet. Colin Lee and Jez Moxey flew over to France on Wednesday. Wolves have also been linked with Scottish defender Lee Wilkie who plays for St.Mirren. Leeds are also apparently interested.

RETURN OF AL JABER

New striker Sami Al Jaber arrived at Molineux on Wednesday and is raring to go. Sami told the official site, "I want to eat, sleep and drink Wolverhampton now." Wolves fans can't wait to see the Saudi striker in action. He said, "I want to make the Wolves fans happy."

STOWELL IN ACTION

Veteran keeper Mike Stowell was in action for Wolves reserves last night in a goalless draw against Barnsley at Molinuex. He is in his testimonial year and played half of the game and then was replaced by Frank Talia. Barnsley youngster Graham Garland was sent off.

WOLVES MARCH ON

Wolves came from two down to rescue the match against Oxford United in the Worthington Cup 1st Round 2nd Leg and Manor Ground last night. Oxford, leading 1-0 from the first leg at Molienux, took the lead after 13 minutes through John Sheppard but Wolves bravely fought back in the second half with a goal from Welsh midfielder Carl Robinson, a first goal for Robert Taylor and a debut goal for Adam Proudlock.
Wolves looked particularly poor in the first half but their determination was illustrated in the first 5 minutes when four players were booked: Sedgley, Lescott, Green and . Adam Proudlock looked lively on his debut and saw a header superbly saved from the Oxford keeper.
Things improved straight away in the second half when Carl Robinson rose to equalise and take the aggregate score to 1-2. Jolene Lescott was then sent off for a second bookable offence and many thought Wolves had lost their chance but two goals in 3 minutes from Robert taylor and debutant Adam Proudlock sealed the much needed win for Wolves

TAYLOR BAGS MOM AWARD

Robert Taylor received the Man of the Match award for last nights victory at Oxford. The striker scored the first goal and played a big part in the game. This may be his answer to his critics since signing for Wolves.

PENNANT MAY BE NEEDED

Wolves bid to sign Arsenal youngester Jermaine Pennant on loan will be put on hold because he may be needed for the London side in their Champions League fixtures if Nwanko Kanu is on international duty with Nigeria.

ARSENAL WHIZZKID TO SIGN FOR WOLVES?

Wolves have been linked with a loan move for young Arsenal striker Jemaine Pennant. The 17 year old, signed for a couple of million from Notts County as a 16 year old, has already played for Arsenal. With Wolves current injury crisis, he might be the ideal temporary replacement.

TAYLOR SHRUGGS OFF INJURY

Robert Taylor could play against Oxford United tonight after recovering from the calf injury that kept him out of the defeats against Portsmouth and Gillingham. The ex-Manchester City striker is not fully recovered but has a chance of playing and possibly opening his account with Wolves.

PROUDLOCK SIGNS DEAL

Promising striker Adam Proudlock has signed an extension to his contract at Molineux which will see him stay with the club till 2003. The forward who has been on loan recently to Clyde in Scotland, scored 5 goals for the Scottish Division One side and is seen as a replacement for Brian Carrigan who left for Stockport. Ironically, Carrigan had a trial with Wolves last season and played eight minutes of a reserve game against Birmingham, but Wolves want to hold on to Proudlock. Lee said, I'm delighted to have such a good young prospect signed up until the end of the 2002/3 season."

LETS BE POSITIVE-LEE

Colin Lee says Wolves have to face Oxford in a positive and confident mood. Wolves current form has been poor but the Wolves boss says, "We
have got to go to Oxford in a positive frame of mind and put them under pressure,"

DIFFICULT FOR LEE

Colin Lee says this is a difficult time for him and the club. The boss claims, "This is certainly the most difficult period I have faced since I took charge". But he says that he hopes Wolves can pick themselves up and start getting the right results. He said, I am determined to come through as a better manager."

SMITH IN HOSPITAL

Wolves face Oxford United tonight but few can blame United manager Denis Smith if he has other things on his mind. He is fighting to be fit to be at the game tonight after spending the weekend in hospital with a blood disorder. If not, assistant Mickey Lewis will take charge.

TRIALSIST GOES TO US

STRANGE SITUATION

Darren Bazeley told the official Wolves website that Wolves are in a strange situation for tonights game against Oxford. He said, I think there are a lot of people who are expecting us to get beat tonight- it's usually the other way around." Darren will be hoping to get back into the side after being dropped for the first time in his Molineux career against Gillingham on Saturday.

LEE ADMITS WOLVES NOT CAPABLE

Wolves boss Colin Lee has admitted his side are in no position to push for a promotion challenge this season. The Wolves squad has been hit extremely hard by injuries and the manager has had few resources to work with. But the former Tottenham player claims that the side is lacking in self-confidence. He said, We are badly lacking confidence at the moment. I have got to lift the players." But he did illustrate the fact that a lot of quality players are missing and that is a key factor of Wolves poor start to the season.

BOSS LOOKING AROUND

Reports indicate that boss Colin Lee could be searching Europe for new talent. He has already signed Sami Al Jaber this season and last season picked up bargain defender, now injured (surprise surprise) from Le Havre. But in the past Wolves have been seen buying players such as Robert Niestroj and Havard Flo, who have not been a hit a Molineux.

MCKINNON GOING TO GRIMSBY?

Former Wolves trialist Ray McKinnon looks set to join Grimsby Town from Raith Rovers. The ex Nottingham Forest midfielder played for Wolves in their friendlies against Coventry and Nuneaton.

YOUNGSTERS IN ACTION

Wolves U17 and U19 sides were in action a=over the weekend against Coventry. The U19 lost 1-0 to the Sky Blues but the U17 won a hard fought battle 3-2. Leon Clarke scored the winner.

GILLS PLEASED

Gillingham captain Guy Butters was pleased with Gillingham's win over Wolves. He said that Gillingham are finally finding their feet in the division.

EMBLEN INJURY SHOCKER

Colin Lee has been hit with further injuries to his squad. Neil Emblen has a badly bruised shin and according to teamtalk, it could be a blood clot. George Ndah could be out for 6 weeks with a groin injury- just after he was getting his confidence ready and sounded like he was raring to go.

NOT GOOD ENOUGH SAYS LEE

Colin Lee says the performance against Gillingham. He said, "We are not playing with any sort of confidence at the moment." This comes after his huge slagging off of the squad after the 3-1 defeat against Portsmouth.
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GILLS PLEASED

Gillingham captain Guy Butters was chuffed with Gillinghams win over Wolves. He said, We are doing well in the First Division and have found our feet all right."
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WOLVES CRASH TO ANOTHER DEFEAT

Wolves conceded a 4th minute goal to Gillingham, giving them their first ever win in Division One football. Junior Lewis struck to give the Gills the lead and as usual, Wolves failed to score an equaliser. Wolves never looked the better side and to make matters worse George Ndah had to be substituted with an injury. WOLVES: Oakes , Camara (Muscat 62) , Emblen (Bazeley 47) , Thetis , Lescott , Muscat , Osborn , Sedgley , Taylor , Ketsbaia , Ndah (Larkin 69)

LEE HIT WITH INJURY CRISIS

Colin Lee has revealed that he will be without around 11 players for the match against Gillingham on Saturday. Andy Sinton, Michael Branch, Robert Taylor are all injured and ruled out. Meanwhile Lee Naylor will be in action for England U21 whilst Carl Robinson will be playing for Wales. Ryan Green is playing for Wales U21. Veteran keeper Mike Stowell is still injured as is Norweigan forward Havard Flo. Ludo Pollet is out for around 2 months.

SAMI SET FOR RETURN LEG?

Sami Al Jaber could make his Wolves debut against Oxford next week. The Saudi striker has been granted a work permit and with Wolves current injury crisis, he would be a welcome face in the side especially as Wolves try to fight a 1-0 deficiet against The O's.font>

NDAH COMING ON NICELY

George Ndah looks on the road to recovery. The striker signed for £1 million off Swindon. He says he feels no pain in his leg which he broke against West Brom last year. Ndah said, "Just give me a few more games and I'll be fully match fit." font>

KEY PLAYER OUT?

Gillingham's Marcus Browning is a doubt for the match against Wolves on Saturday. The strong midfielder has been suffering from a knee injury all week. Also their striker, Andy Thomson could be out. The former Queen of the South and Southend striker has been troubled by a recent groin strain. font>

HATTER NOT ON HIS WAY

Stockport defender Tony Dinning is not on his way to Wolves. A Stockport spokesman confirmed that Wolves have not made a bid. "If they have come with another bid, they haven't done it through myself or the manager." Meanwhile Adam Proudlock is set to stay a few more months at Clyde as reported on this site a few weeks ago. font>

NAYLOR ON BENCH

England U21 romped to a 6-1 victory over Georgia thanks to a brilliant display by whizzkid Joe Cole but Wolves defender Lee Naylor only made it to the bench and did not come on as a substitute.font>

PRIESTFIELD BOOSTER

Strikers Michael Branch and Robert Taylor could be fit to play against Gillingham on Saturday. Taylor is still struggling with his calf but is determined to make a return against his former club where he enjoyed many a goal. Taylor said it would be a special game for him and said, "I had a season there and I almost helped them to promotion."

ROBINSON CALLED UP

Carl Robinson has been called up to the Wales squad for the game against Belarus on Saturday. Also, Lee Naylor and Ryan Green are on Under 21 duty which leaves manager Colin Lee with a problem. But Lee revealed that he would have liked the game to be cancelled- "We asked for the game to be postponed but we were promptly turned down by the Football League." He apologised to the fans and claims Wolves have a 'reduced squad' as there are many injuries too.

PERMIT FOR SAMI

Sami Al Jaber has been granted his long-awaited work permit to play in England. If Sami passes his medical, he will begin his 5 month trial/loan period and then sign a 4 year contract if it is successful. A thrilled Colin Lee said, "Hopefully Sami will be eligible to play for Wolves very soon."

GILLS INJURY UPDATE

Gillingham have also been hit with several injuries, many picked up in the 1-1 draw against Burnley on Monday. Nayron Nosworthy should miss the game and ex-Arsenal and Millwall goalscoring ace Paul Shaw will miss the game with ankle ligament problems. Another doubt is Roland Edge who suffered from concussion and double vision against Burnley and was taken off at half-time. Club skipper Paul Smith, who has missed the last 4 games is definitely out for the game and out for another month with his persistent calf injury. Manager Andy Hessenthaler has also praised the performances of Mark Patterson who is an excellent marker.

OPPONENTS CHECK