CHRIS LAKEY Lee Croft is given a bitter reminder of what might have been when he recalls the last time City took on Wolves. It was just two days before Christmas when City went searching for their first Molineux win in 11 years - and looked to be well on their way when Robert Earnshaw put them ahead for the second time in the game with 13 minutes left.

CHRIS LAKEY

Lee Croft is given a bitter reminder of what might have been when he recalls the last time City took on Wolves.

It was just two days before Christmas when City went searching for their first Molineux win in 11 years - and looked to be well on their way when Robert Earnshaw put them ahead for the second time in the game with 13 minutes left.

But up popped the unlikely figure of defender Jody Craddock to fire home an equaliser deep into injury time and deprive City of a winning end to a sequence of three successive defeats.

“As has happened so many times this season we have given away late goals which has ruined the win for us, which has been disappointing, so we will be out to put that right,” said Croft.

“I can remember so many this year when we have been winning and then conceded so late in the game. It is heartbreaking when you have worked so hard to get into the lead, especially away from home, and then go and throw it away in the last minute as we have so many times.”

Wolves suffered a 3-0 FA Cup reverse at home to local rivals West Brom on Saturday, but Croft is convinced City will be able to cope with any possible backlash.

“I think they took a bit of a beating against West Brom and I am sure they will be out to put that right tomorrow, but we will be up for that and we'll be ready,” said Croft.

“They are a good side, but when we played them away from home I thought maybe we should have won that game, but I am sure on our own patch we have got to be favourites.”

Victory in front of City's own fans, followed by a good result against Leeds on Saturday would ease some current concerns, and appease some disgruntled fans - and Croft is looking forward to the opportunity that the fixture list present this week.

“I love playing at Carrow Road and I'm looking forward to it,” he said. “We have a few home games and hopefully we can get six points over the next seven days.

“I've been saying it for a while but every game is important now, but these two are massive for us and we need to make sure we get the results we need.

“Having Chris Brown suspended is a big blow. I thought he did well on Saturday so we'll miss him. Hopefully Dion will come through - hopefully the players who come in will do a good job and we can still get three points.”