McCarthy expects Hughes to come in for abuse

Mick McCarthy hopes Notts County striker Lee Hughes will not be inspired by the verbal abuse he expects him to receive from the Wolves fans in tonight's Carling Cup clash at Molineux.

Hughes is likely to come in for plenty of stick because of his long and successful involvement with Wolves' local rivals West Brom.

Wolves boss McCarthy has plenty of respect for the former Oldham player who has slowly but surely rebuilt his reputation as a consistent goalscorer.

McCarthy said: "I am sure Lee Hughes will get a special welcome. It might do the game good.

"The games can be notoriously quiet and you turn up and need something to cheer.

"It always concerns me because whenever I turned up at grounds where I got abuse, it inspired me to play well.

"It never bothered me but the fans will do exactly as they please, let me tell you.

"You can't give it (abuse) as a player or a manager. You just have to wave, or a little smile, because we are not allowed to give the same amount of abuse."

McCarthy added: "Lee is a good player, let's not forget that, and he has scored goals wherever he's been.

"You tend to find if you are a good player, and you score goals against the opposition, you do get a bit of grief."

Meanwhile, McCarthy has defended the side chosen for tonight's game.

McCarthy has made nine changes from the starting XI beaten 3-1 by Tottenham in the Barclays Premier League on Saturday.

Only defender Richard Stearman and midfielder Kevin Foley keep their places from the side which started at White Hart Lane.

But McCarthy has still selected a side full of experience containing five internationals to face County.

It is in contrast to the cluster of youth team players he named for the previous round against Southend.

McCarthy said: "It's not an understrength team I've picked. It's a team containing Premier League players who have cost a few quid.

"There are no youth team players this time but that's no detriment to them. We need to get back to winning ways and I'd love to have a cup run."

Wolves defender Steven Mouyokolo will make his debut against County after an injury-hit start to his Wolves career.

He made a £2.5million switch from Hull in the summer but has suffered ankle and then hamstring injuries.