Hunt eyes weekend Wolves debut

HIS last involvement with his country was warming the bench in the Stade de France as Ireland crashed out of the World Cup on an infamous night last November but now Stephen Hunt is on the way back after starting a match for the first time in eight months.

While Ireland were playing in front of a full house in Zilina on Tuesday, Hunt was turning out for the Wolves reserves in a 2-1 defeat to Wigan watched by just 300 people at Molineux. And although taken off at half-time as a precaution, he successfully came through 45 minutes of action for the first time since being sidelined with a foot injury at his previous club, Hull, in February. And, already the exuberant winger is targeting a weekend debut for his new club in the Premier League.

Hunt, signed by Wolves in the summer, said: “The foot felt good and I was happy to get 45 minutes. To play 45 minutes was always the plan although I probably could have played for longer. I found myself making the runs I normally make and I’m going to get sharper and better as the weeks go on.

“To play 15 or 20 minutes on Saturday might not be beyond me. It would be great to play against West Ham. It’s a big game for us after four defeats in a row. If I’m needed to start the game then I’m sure I could, but it’s down to the manager.”