Wolverhampton V Watford at Molineux Stadium : Match Preview

Wolverhampton V Watford - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Stephen in Hunt for starting spot

Stephen Hunt comes into contention for his first league start of the season on Friday night as struggling Wolves play host to promotion-chasing Watford.

The wide man has missed the majority of this season with a hip injury, only to suffer a lengthy chest infection upon his return to fitness.

Hunt has now recovered from the virus and is pressing his claims for a starting berth as Wolves aim to record their first win for under-pressure boss Dean Saunders and haul themselves out of the Championship drop zone.

Youngster Matt Doherty made his first-ever league start for Wolves in last Sunday's 2-1 home defeat to Cardiff and should overcome the tight calf which forced him to be replaced by Kevin Foley in the latter stages.

Saunders started with a new-found 3-5-1-1 formation against the Bluebirds before reverting to their more familiar 4-4-2 at half-time when Wolves were losing, and it remains to be seen how he will line up against Watford as the club look to turn their fortunes around.

Foley, Stephen Ward, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, Kevin Doyle and Dave Edwards are among those competing for recalls.

Watford are closing in on the loan capture of Matthew Briggs from Fulham but he will not be available in time to make his debut on Friday night.

The left-back, 21, is poised to pen a month-long loan deal from the Premier League club and the deal should be completed within the next 24 hours.

However, Briggs will not be in contention to feature for the club until Tuesday's home clash against Sheffield Wednesday.

Elsewhere, first-choice goalkeeper Manuel Almunia is a doubt for the encounter at Molineux having been forced off at half-time in last weekend's 2-1 victory at Derby with a hamstring complaint.

Jonathan Bond stepped in at Pride Park and will start from the off should Almunia not recover in time from an injury which is not as bad as first feared.

Wing-back Daniel Pudil is fit having missed the last two games due to illness, but defenders Fitz Hall (hamstring), Tommie Hoban (ankle) and Neuton (back) all continue to miss out while John Eustace has suffered a recurrence of his back problem.

Source : http://www.football.co.uk/wolverhampton_wanderers/wolverhampton_v_watford_at_molineux_stadium___match_preview_rss3779428.shtml