Hammill faces first team battle

Mick McCarthy has made it clear that new signing Adam Hammill will have to get past Stephen Hunt and Matt Jarvis if he wants a starting place on the Wolves' wing. With McCarthy bringing in the winger from Barnsley last week it had been reported that Jarvis could be on his way out of Molineux, but the manager has been quick to pour water on those rumours. 

"When I was speaking with Adam and his agent, I said 'I hope he knows that we've got two terrific wingers at the minute and neither of them are going anywhere - you're coming here to compete," he said.

Highly rated Hammill had become one of the most sought after players outside the Premier League, with a host of top-flight sides registering a serious interest in the former Liverpool youngster. A clause in Hammill's contract at Barnsley meant the 22 year old was available for £500,000 and McCarthy will have been happy to have pipped Blackpool at the post for the players' signature. The football betting indicates Wolves are in a relegation dog fight, and a player of his class could be what they need.

Hammill came off the bench in last weekend's 3-0 defeat to Liverpool to make his debut against his former club and the early signs looked good for Wolves fans. The winger looked lively coming on with 20 minutes to go and provided a number of decent crosses from out wide. Hammill will only have to look at Matt Jarvis on the other wing to see what can be possible even though this will be his first real taste of top-flight football. The football betting tips show that things won't be easy, but Hammill could still make a big impression.

Hammill will provide McCarthy with an extra attacking option from the bench but after the Liverpool match the new signing will be looking at Hunt as his main rival for a starting berth. Hunt was poor against Liverpool and hasn't really set the world alight since making his summer move from Hull. The extra competition may be what the Irishman needs to kick start his Wolves career. 

Wolves fans will be hoping their new signing can provide that attacking spark that has been missing this season, resulting in the position in the relegation zone with the season past the half way point.