Soccer:Wolves manager Mick McCarthy has confirmed summer signing Stephen Hunt will not be fit enough to make his debut until October. The Republic of Ireland international is still recovering from a foot injury suffered in February when playing against Wolves.
McCarthy will not attempt to rush the 28-year-old back into action and is aware his Hunt’s absence will not be too damaging because the early part of the campaign is punctuated by two fortnight-long international breaks for European Championship qualifiers.
McCarthy said: “Hunt won’t be fit until maybe October but there’s a good side to that in terms of the two-week breaks in August and September with two Saturdays missed.
“As always, Hunt’s got a date he thinks he’ll be back, we’ve got a date we think he’ll be back, and there’s a disparity. I’ve told him we’ll be going with my date, as I’d sooner have him for six months of the season absolutely spot on because he’ll be a good player for us.”
McCarthy has signed five players already this summer including Hunt and believes the ex-Reading winger will blend in well with the other members of the squad.
He said: “Stephen is a good character as well. He’s no shrinking violet and neither are Jelle Van Damme and Steven Fletcher. I’m delighted to have got the players we’ve bought already.”
McCarthy has also signed Steven Mouyokolo and Adlene Guedioura.