After qualifying for the knockout stages of the Premier League Cup last Friday night with a 2-0 victory over Oxford United at Molineux, head coach Rob Edwards rung the changes for the mid-week clash with Swansea – the final group game of the cup campaign – as Wolves fell to defeat at Compton Park.
But the third match in seven days for the side sees attention turn back to the league, as the under-23s aim to close the gap to Southampton at the top of the Division 2 table, with Wolves three points behind the league leaders, but with a game in hand and a superior goal difference to their name.
Middlesbrough are currently mid-table in PL2 Division 2 and will be aiming for revenge after falling to a 2-0 defeat against Wolves in September.
WHEN
Friday 7pm
WHERE
Heritage Park, Darlington
LAST THREE
Wolves
0-2 v Swansea City (H) PLC
2-0 v Oxford United (H) PLC
4-0 v Norwich City (H)
Middlesbrough
1-1 v Aston Villa (A)
1-2 v Southampton (H)
2-2 v Fulham (A)
WHAT THE BOSS THINKS
On rotating team against Swansea
“We rested some of the lads who played last Friday night at Molineux - and put in a very good performance - for the game against Swansea on Tuesday.
“But that’s the nature of the squad, that’s why we have it, because now we’re heading to Middlesbrough and we have to go again after a very short space of time, so it’s good that we can bring fresh legs back in for this game.”
On Middlesbrough
“We played them earlier on in the season and it was a tough game at Telford, although we won it 2-0. We’re expecting another tough game because they’re all really tight; every game is pretty close, and I expect it to be no different on Friday.
“They’re going to be well up for it, I know Paul Stephenson, their manager, who’s a good guy, a good coach, and they’ll be at it, with their good players.
“We’ve got the be ready for the challenge, but it’s one we’re looking forwards to.”
NEXT FIVE
11/3 Southampton (H)
30/3 Newcastle (A)
8/4 Aston Villa (A)
15/4 Stoke City (H)
TBC Derby County (A) PLC
