Wanderers will be going all out tonight to get their noses back in front in the race for the Premiership.

Knocked off the top by a rampant Norwich, who thrashed Grimsby 4-1 at Blundell Park last night, Colin Todd's pacemakers travel to Wolves in defiant and determined mood.

A packed Molineux will be the setting for the most exacting examination yet of their promotion potential - a match Keith Branagan describes as "massive".

But it's a test the Burnden keeper is confident they can pass, provided they avoid the self-inflicted wounds that have marred an otherwise highly impressive start to the season.

In pure footballing terms, Wanderers have still to meet their match in nine Division One games but Branagan acknowledges: "We've had a few games in which we've been the cause of our own downfall. Southend was a major hiccup and at Bradford we managed to come out on top after letting them back into it.

"The late goal we conceded against Stoke on Saturday was a big disappointment for everyone. It felt like we'd lost the game. In fact, I've been in dressing rooms after losing games and it hasn't been as bad as that.

"But the game's about getting over setbacks. You overcome them with strength and character, which are qualities we have. We bounced back after losing at Southend and we'll bounce back again."

Branagan will line up behind a new-look back four with skipper Gudni Bergsson switching to centre-back in place of Gerry Taggart, who is on international duty with Northern Ireland, while Steve McAnespie returns at right back.

Michael Johansen is likely to continue in the right side midfield role.

Branagan recognises the scale of the test but refuses to attach too much significance to the duel of the Wanderers.

"It's a big match for us," he agreed, "a very big match. We are going there as one of the league leaders and they were one of the pre-season favourites.

"The atmosphere will be electric and, if we play well, we'll win. But our season doesn't stand or fall on the outcome of one game.

"This is a massive game but the result will be no more important than any other."

Fifth placed Wolves go into the game buoyed by Friday night's 2-1 win at Swindon. Molineux boss Mark McGhee is expected to name an unchanged line-up with Dominic Foley, the 20-year-old, who scored the 85th minute winner, again on the subs bench.

Likely line-ups: Wanderers: Branagan, McAnespie, Phillips, Frandsen, Bergsson, Fairclough, Johansen, Sellars, Blake, McGinlay, Thompson. Subs from Lee, Todd, Taylor, Ward.

Wolves: Stowell, Smith, Froggatt, Atkins, Venus, Richards, Thompson, Ferguson, Bull, Roberts, Emblen. Subs from Foley, Corica, Romano, Segers.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.