Football: Camara shy

WOLVES manager Dave Jones is hoping his striking problems will ease by the time the Coca-Cola Championship favourites kick off at Stoke on August 8.

Senegal international Henri Camara has been the topic on the lips of most Wolves fans over the last few days.

But he was missing from this first significant pre-season friendly in this country after Wolves' three-match trip to Norway where they beat Tronso, but lost to Bodo Glint and Lyn Oslo.

Camara has so far not trained with his Molineux team-mates and looks set to be on his way.

But Friday's make-up meeting with Jones could be a significant step forward if Wolves are to justify the bookies' faith.

Certainly there were few chances created by the men in gold shirts in this stalemate.

But Jones expects half a dozen players to return over the next three weeks, while he could take heart from the 45 minutes played by George Ndah, who missed the whole of last season with a knee problem.

Jones said: "I spoke to Henri on Friday when a lot of the reasons for what had happened came out. Things have not been done properly.

"No one expected Henri to come in, but he did. He will be in on Monday and although he will be disciplined, that will be an internal affair. Let's see what happens from there."

Jones also anticipates Carl Cort to return to the fray in three weeks while Romanian striker Vio Ganea, who detached a muscle in a knee in Norway, will need to have his recovery monitored.

Jones added: "We also have Seyi George Olofinjana coming back to us on Monday. It is all a question of making sure everybody is right and not bringing them back too quick."

Wolves fans, of which over 800 made the short hop down the motorway, can at least take heart that the combative nature of Paul Ince will again be a factor in their drive for promotion.

Surely only Ince could get so fired up in a tame pre-season friendly to argue with the referee over a free-kick.

Jones was also hoping that Joleon Lescott, who like Ndah missed the whole of last season, would come through unscathed but the centre- back was withdrawn a minute before the break after jarring up his knee.

Jones added: "I thought our trialist Youl Mawene did a good job for us and that is the one area where we are short at the moment."

Wolves' best chances came in the first half, notably two long- range efforts from Colin Cameron which flew over the crossbar while Mark Kennedy also sent over a dipping volley.

At the other end, Michael Oakes was rarely tested, but Martin Smith should have done better when he was clear on goal but stubbed his shot.

Similarly, Eric Sabin beat the offside trap in the 31st minute but, needing only a deft lob to beat the on-rushing Oakes, failed to make contact.

The second half was even more barren but there was almost a dream ending for Northampton striker Mark Richards, one of numerous substitutes, whose spectacular overhead kick flew over.

At the other end Sammy Clingan almost won it in the closing moments but his 20-yarder flew just over the bar.

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