Saturday's match-winner Michael Gray may or may not get the nod on the left wing tonight as Wolves bid to follow up the weekend victory at Watford with another three points against Swansea.

 

But boss Mick McCarthy certainly believes the 34-year-old could have a key role to play over the remainder of the Championship season.

 

Last Tuesday's 5-2 defeat at Norwich prompted Mick to opt for Michael's experience and know-how as Wolves looked to steady the ship at Vicarage Road.

 

And not only did the former England star respond with a steady hand on the tiller, he also popped up with the late and crucial winner.

 

"I went for Micky as a winger because he gave us a bit more in terms of balance and also having lost how we did at Norwich he's an experienced player and talks on the pitch and organises," said Mick.

 

"We went back to a few fundamental basic things which I thought he would help make sure happened on the pitch and he did.

 

"I didn't expect him to score the winning goal and that was a pleasant surprise.

 

"I know Micky's not what he was in terms of being able to go on the outside of people and outrunning them.

 

"But he held his position and gave us balance and did what a left winger ought to be doing getting in the box and scoring on the opposite side.

 

"Whether he can play two games in four days depends on the intensity and I'll wait and see how Kights (Michael Kightly)  is before making any decision."

 

From Michael's point of view he was delighted to get a first league start of the season, admitting he is now in a position where it will be difficult to play in every game.

 

"I was down at play at Swansea before I got ill but of course I get frustrated like anyone else," he says.

 

"But I spoke to the manager in the summer and I'm fully aware of my position at the club.

 

"The manager's been great with me with the way I train and everything.

 

"He knows what he gets from me and I think everyone sees what I give when I get my chance to play and I'll never let anyone down.

 

" I look after myself these days and hopefully that will put me in good stead for the games ahead- if selected.

 

"I'm not Matt Jarvis - I can't take people on like him and we're different types of players.

 

"But I was in there to do a job on Saturday and if you look at Tommy Smith, who's probably their most potent player, and I think we kept him quiet and that's the kind of job I can do.

 

"And if I can come up with a goal once in a while, then great.

 

 "I've been keeping myself right and just biding my time and waiting for my chance.

 

"I know I've still got a lot to give and it's nice to get a taster and to top it off with a win and to get a goal was great."

 

Michael is now hoping Wolves can build on Saturday's result although expects a tough test from a Swansea side who have already beaten the Molineux men this season.

 

"We'd lost three games out of four but we've got ourselves back on track now," he added.

 

"We know how tough Swansea is going to be because we played them recently and we know they can play it around if you let them.

 

"So we've got to be aware of that. We're at home and everyone will think we've got to attack, but sometimes you can't do that."

 

* KEVIN Foley and Michael Kightly were both named in the Championship Team of the Week following their performances at Watford.