McCarthy wary of 'wounded' Rangers

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has warned his team they must not underestimate tomorrow’s opponents QPR as they look to maintain their lead at the top of the Coca-Cola Championship.

Before last week’s 1-1 draw with Birmingham, Wolves had claimed seven successive league victories and McCarthy will be hoping the Black Country side can return to winning ways in the evening kick-off at Loftus Road tomorrow.

QPR are in 10th place, only two points off the play-offs, after starting the season as one of the promotion favourites following the takeover by Formula One pair Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone, as well as steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal.

And McCarthy – who was named as the division’s manager of the month for November yesterday – knows they will present a tough challenge.

He told the club’s official website, www.wolves.co.uk: “It’s always dangerous when you play teams like this.

“They have got a new manager (Paulo Sousa) and they have under-achieved.

“It’s a danger for us because they are like a wounded animal desperate to do well.

“I’m concerned about QPR because it’s not an easy place to play and they have good players and

they have also signed good players.

“So, there’s no question about it, it will be a very difficult game.”