Fit As A Flea
Mick McCarthy today hailed new loan signing Marlon Harewood's fitness levels as he ponders whether to throw him in against
By his own admission the Aston Villa striker hasn't enjoyed as much football as he'd have liked over the last two seasons, but having now watched him at close quarters the Wolves boss has described him as being, "as fit as a flea".
And that gives the boss plenty of food for thought as he assesses his striking options for the crucial trip to St Andrew's.
"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," said Mick.
"That wasn't the promise - he didn't say 'am I playing a week on Monday?'
"He didn't look for any reassurances, he just wants to be part of it.
"There's no point in me having any pre-conceived ideas of what I'm going to do with Chris Iwelumo and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake having treatment and Sam Vokes, Andy Keogh to come back from internationals.
"I won't see those two until Saturday, so I haven't got any thoughts on what I'm going to do."
Mick is however delighted to have brought Marlon in.
"He's a Premier League striker - he went to Villa for £4m-£5m," he added.
"He had a huge impact for West Ham in the Premier League in their first season up when they and
"He's got all the abilities to have a big impact.
"At 29, he's at a good age. He wants to get back playing football which he hasn't been able to do because the team has been winning, but he's as fit as a flea.
"Like everyone else who goes out on loan, he's hungry to play."
