Karl Henry is set for the next instalment in the battle for Wolves starting places as the squad head out for a whistle-stop tour of Belgium to tackle Charleroi tomorrow night.

 

The squad fly out to Belgium this afternoon ahead of tomorrow's game against the team from which Mick McCarthy signed Adlene Guedioura and Geoffrey Bia Mujangi - the latter who is now on a season-long loan.

 

It also means a temporary return to Belgium for Jelle Van Damme, who joined Wolves from Anderlecht this summer, and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, who spent time on loan with Royal Antwerp while with Manchester United back in 2006.

 

For Henry, the latest leg of Wolves' pre-season is another chance for the Wolves' squad to stake their claim for a regular starting spot.

 

"There are still plenty of games to go," says the skipper.

 

"Everyone has come back this season with a clean slate.

 

"Whatever happened last season has gone, good or bad, and everyone has come back looking really fit thanks to the programmes put together by Tony Daley.

"We started earlier than most other clubs as we do every year but we'll feel better for it later in the season.

 

"The remaining games offer us all a good opportunity to try and stamp ourselves on the team for the start of the season.

 

"I expect another tough test at Charleroi.

 

"We've signed a few players from Belgium clubs lately and there'll probably a few wanting to impress to put themselves in the shop window as well.

 

"It will be a tough game with their players bang on it but we'll have to be right on our games to make sure we put in a performance."

 

Henry admits that pre-season thus far as been as tough as ever with a host of early starts and double sessions all tailored to ensuring the squad reach their optimum for the big kick-off on August 14.

 

It's already paid dividends with two impressive friendly performances accounting for Bohemians and Walsall, the improvement perhaps also part of a change in emphasis from boss Mick McCarthy.

"The gaffer has changed things this pre-season," says Henry.

 

"Previously we've played half a game each in the friendlies which is probably sometimes not enough so the gaffer has changed the match times and we've been having 70 instead.

 

"In the first game against Bohemians I was feeling it after 70 but that meant we all knew we had got something out of it.

 

"As usual it's tough as it always is at this time of year.

 

 

"We have to come back and get our fitness with a lot of running and hard work.

 

"You know you need to get a good pre-season behind you to get that base fitness and we always do that here.

 

"It's been tough so far but enjoyable and the games have been good.

 

"Ireland was a good trip.

 

"I've been there a few times with Wolves and they have always been good trips.

 

"It was a decent first game for us as well and a good test for our first game.

 

"And then it was another good performance against Walsall both from the lads who started and then came on.

"So far so good - it's been two good performances - but as the gaffer said we can't get too carried away with pre-season games."

 

Tomorrow's game with Charleroi will offer the latest chance for new signings Van Damme and Steven Fletcher to become further acquainted with their new team-mates.

 

Henry has been impressed with both so far, believing they will fit in well at Molineux both on and off the pitch.

 

"The new lads have settled in well," he added.

 

"The gaffer's done his homework when he looks at people's characters and not just as players.

"All the players we sign are good lads and good characters who slot into the dressing room really well.

 

"Fletcher has looked really sharp and looks a natural finisher and has been banging the goals in in training left, right and centre.

 

"He looks really exciting and will hopefully get us a few goals.

 

"Jelle has looked really good as well, strong in the tackle and a good player."

 

Wolves other two summer signings Stephen Hunt and Steven Mouyokolo have yet to figure due to injury but the latter is set to return to full training next week.

 

* The full interview with Karl Henry is available to view by subscribers to Wolves Player.