Boss Mick McCarthy admitted it will not do Wolves any harm to have had their "wings clipped" by defeat at Reading last night - and hailed the performances of Danny Batth and Ashley Hemmings as major positives of the 2-1 defeat.

 

Wolves suffered their first reverse of pre-season at the Madesjki Stadium, albeit improving after five half time changes and finishing strongly after David Jones' precise finish pulled a goal back ten minutes from time.

 

An equaliser wouldn't come, but the boss, amid the disappointment, believes the result won't do any major damage coming on the back of a hat trick of pre-season victories.

 

"I never like to lose but maybe it's not a bad thing," said Mick.

 

"If you go through the pre-season winning all your games everyone thinks you're wonderful but we know we're not now.

 

"I don't need a reminder of that but maybe it's a nice reminder to everyone else.

 

"We've had a nice pre-season ticking along and winning all our games but Reading away is not a nice easy fixture to have - just ask Liverpool.

 

"It's a difficult test and they are well organised with some good players, an accomplished team who played well and deserved to win.

 

"They were playing against a Premier League team and it certainly motivated them and the fans love to beat a Premier League team.

 

"And remember we lost to MK Dons and Port Vale last year.

 

"It was quite an even game to start with but we gave a penalty away which always sets you back.

 

"There was some decent stuff in the game and in the second half when we made the subs if we'd got a goal soon in it could have been different.

 

"It's clipped our wings a little bit and in a way I'm pleased that it has.

 

"So while I'm smarting that we've been beat it doesn't do us any harm that we've been brought back down to earth."

 

And the performances of the youngsters - Sam Winnall and David Davis also came off the bench late on - certainly caught the manager's eye.

 

"It was a step up in pace, power and quality from the games that we've had," he added.

 

"And I thought the two young lads were great.

 

 

"Danny Batth was excellent - as good as anyone on the pitch - and Ashley did well and it was nice for David Davis and Sam to come on.

 

"It's been really encouraging to have the young lads coming through.

 

"I felt a bit for Andy Keogh because he's travelled but wanted to give the kids a chance and 10 minutes would mean more to them."

 

Mick explained David Edwards' absence from proceedings having initially named him in his starting eleven.

 

The midfielder has suffered a reaction to an insect bite on his shoulder which has caused an infection and went home from the training ground yesterday morning.

 

The boss was again asked about the possibility of any new signings, and re-iterated the message that players need to leave before even discussing the prospect of bringing anyone else in.

"I'm not looking at all at the moment," he said.

 

"We need to lose some players rather than take any more in and certainly won't do any more business unless anyone leaves.

 

"I'm delighted with the guys I got in.

 

"The disappointment is that Steven Mouyokolo has been injured but he's training again now and might be o-k for the weekend.

"And we knew the situation with Hunty and with his ability I'm delighted to have got him in."