Sylvan Ebanks-Blake will be hurting like mad at his continuing quest to re-hit the goalscoring trail - that's the view of Wolves manager Mick McCarthy.

But the boss remains confident that every striker's lifeblood, the need to hit the net at regular intervals, will return to Ebanks-Blake's game.

Like all Wolves strikers, the double Championship Golden Boot winner has found chances at a premium this season, and having been denied by some excellent saves in recent weeks saw a good chance slip past the post against Wigan on Saturday.

"I put my arm around them all the players all the time to encourage them and to be better," says Mick.

"It's not as if I'd do that because someone thinks we should do that now - it's ongoing.

"Sylvan has been playing in the team and he just has to keep going.

"It's tough, but he did it last season and he'll score his goals.

"It's really difficult for him. He desperately wants to score.

"I'm sure the disappointment rests heavily on him - I know it does - you can see the disappointment etched in his face.

"Scoring goals has been his lifeblood - not everything else in his game, because that's what he did.

"So I'm sure he's at a loss to understand it because he'd have scored that chance on Saturday in the Championship.

"You wonder the longer it goes on, is it coming? Does it come?

"I know it will come back but it does take time."

And Mick remains pleased with Ebanks-Blake's performance levels in which he and Kevin Doyle have continued to put themselves about to positive effect.

"It's not about repaying me or anyone else, but he's been at it and playing well for the last few games," added the boss.