Mick McCarthy's weekly press conferences throw up many wild, weird and wonderful subjects on the world of football and much more.

And this morning's offering was nothing different.

Indeed one area into which discussion strayed ended up with the Wolves boss throwing out a challenge to any Dragons Den hopefuls out there.

Design me a new crutch holder!

Battle-hardened ex-player and manager that he is any pain caused by last week's ankle operation has been swotted away by Mick in the same manner as he would an irritating fly.

But his main source of frustration as he spends a few weeks on crutches has been getting the things to stand up when he tries to move himself about!

At Compton this morning he offered an example - and the crutch promptly fell to the floor.

Although on the next occasion, as if by magic, it actually stayed vertical.

On a serious note though Mick insisted it's been business as usual in terms of getting about the place and overseeing training, with the help of the golf buggy kindly loaned by South Staffordshire Golf Club.

"I've been on the training ground every day," he says.

"I haven't done anything differently, Terry (Connor) and myself share the coaching duties and maybe he's done a little bit more but I've been out for sessions as normal.

"I go out on my golf buggy - my Popemobile - to make sure I'm out there watching what's going on and giving input when it's needed.

"The only frustration I've had is that the crutches don't stand up when you try and lean them against something.

"If you could make them stand up you'd be in for millions and millions so if you could invent something for that it would be fantastic!

"I spend half my time putting them up against something and then they just fall over.

"And you try getting ready and getting down the stairs with three bags as I had to this morning.

"I looked from the top of the stairs and was going to throw them down but eventually I made it!

"All things considered I'm in the pink actually, I'm feeling fine apart from my ankle so you'll get no complaints from me whatsoever."

Mick was also asked about the incident last weekend when he appeared to throw his crutch to the floor in a moment of frustration during the win against Burnley.

"Oh no - it just slipped out of my hand," he insisted with a wry smile.

Of course the perfect remedy for any frustration is success, and Mick was certainly buoyed by the three points against Burnley.

"Everyone feels better about themselves when you're winning games, that's for sure," he admitted.

"I nearly got up and walked last weekend - it was a miracle!"