Soccer: I’d love if we beat them - Oakes

Wolves goalkeeper Michael Oakes would like nothing more than to put one over local rivals West Brom at The Hawthorns tonight and help his side go top of Division One.

Dave Jones’ side have seen their promotion charge dented by back-to-back 1-0 home defeats by Crewe and Crystal Palace, with Saturday’s reverse to the Eagles seeing them knocked off the top of the table.

However, a draw would be enough to see Wolves leapfrog Steve Bruce’s men but Oakes is in no mood to settle for anything else than a victory in what is sure to be a fiercely-contested Black Country derby.

‘‘The supporters always let us know how much the Wolves/Albion match means to them, but it means a lot to the players too on both sides,’’ Oakes told www.wolves.co.uk.

‘‘We’ll all be up for it, but from our point of view, it would be a great match to bounce back from the two defeats. It’s an excellent chance to get back to winning ways.’’

Baggies boss Gary Megson takes his side into the game thirsting for revenge.

West Brom, at the time on course for a place in the First Division play-offs, were soundly beaten 3-1 in a one-sided match at Molineux last March.

‘‘People say derby games are just another three points, but I don’t care what anybody else says they are different,’’ said Megson. ‘‘They are always massive games.

‘‘We didn’t play our last game with Wolves like it was a derby game, but our team has changed immeasurably since then and I will expect a much, much better performance.’’

Baggies defender Des Lyttle will return after missing the 2-0 defeat by Norwich last Friday.

Lyttle was given permission by Megson to miss the game following the birth of his daughter.

Ruel Fox is expected to start on the bench as he continues his fight for a first-team place following a rib injury.

Wolves defender Ludovic Pollet has returned to light training after being given the green light to start his recovery from a badly-sprained ankle, but will not be in contention tonight.