• Wolves plan talks after Chelsea’s bid for the Double
• ‘He has been a great signing for us, a first-class player’

Wolverhampton Wanderers plan to open negotiations with Chelsea over the possibility of Michael Mancienne returning to Molineux next season once the Premier League leaders have completed their quest for a domestic Double.

The England Under-21 international has impressed during his season-long loan at Molineux and Steve Morgan, the Wolves chairman, is keen to secure the defender’s services for another campaign.

“We would like to see Michael again,” Morgan said. “There’s a conversation to be had with Chelsea. He has been a great signing for us, a first-class player and someone we would love to see wearing a Wolves shirt next season.

“But Chelsea have their hands full at the moment. They aren’t ready to open talks yet. It will happen in due course.”

Wolverhampton WanderersChelseaPremier LeagueTransfer windowStuart Jamesguardian.co.uk

Mick McCarthy today described Chelsea as “arguably the best in the league” but his Wolves side approach this fixture without fear. Having beaten Tottenham and held both Liverpool and Aston Villa at Molineux, Wanderers have good reason for cautious optimism. “We might end up with a real old slapping,” said McCarthy, “but I don’t think we will.” Chelsea are stretched by injury and illness – Frank Lampard misses out with a virus – and have a tongue-lashing from the club’s chief executive still ringing in their ears. John Ashdown

Venue Molineux

Tickets £30-40 (0871 222 1877)

Last season n/a

Referee K Friend

This season’s matches 9 Y28, R4, 3.56 cards per game

Odds Wolves 11-1 Chelsea 4-11 Draw 9-2

Wolves

Subs from Hennessey, Elokobi, Kightly, Stearman, Ebanks-Blake, Surman, Halford, Vokes, Milijas, Mujangi Bia, Friend, Maierhofer, Castillo

Doubtful Edwards (ankle), Kightly (foot), Ward (knee)

Injured Keogh (ankle, 13 Mar), Murray (knee, 27 Feb)

Suspended None

Ineligible Mancienne (terms of loan)

Form guide WLDDLL

Disciplinary record Y48 R3

Leading scorer Doyle 6

Chelsea

Subs from Hilário, Turnbull, Ferreira, Hutchinson, Sturridge, Bruma, Kakuta, Matic, Borini, Kalou

Doubtful J Cole (knee)

Injured Lampard (virus, 23 Feb), Alex, Belletti, Bosingwa, Deco, Essien (all knee, 27 Feb), A Cole (ankle, May)

Suspended None

Form guide LWDWWW

Disciplinary record Y36 R2

Leading scorer Drogba 17

Match pointers

• Wolves have conceded 14 goals in three Premier League meetings with Chelsea

• Chelsea have not lost to Wolves in any competition since January 1987

• Wolves have the worst shooting accuracy in the division, with just 37% of their efforts hitting the target

• Chelsea’s last two Premier League wins over Arsenal have both been immediately followed by a defeat in their next match

• In their last 10 league matches, Wolves have either kept a clean sheet or conceded at least twice

Wolverhampton WanderersChelseaPremier Leagueguardian.co.uk