Rochdale v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Carling Cup First Round
Monday 23 August 7.45pm

THERE'S probably no better time to play Wolves than at the start of their first campaign out of the top flight.

Dave Jones' side struggled like hell against the Premiership's big boys last season and have found life difficult back in the division it took them 14 years to get out of.

An opening day defeat to Stoke, plus nervy draws against Preston and Leeds, have them in the lower reaches of the table. The famously critical Molineux faithful will expect much more from a side with excellent facilities and the backing of Jack Hayward.

Jones - who was in charge when his side inflicted that famous 3-1 defeat on Dale in the 2002-03 FA Cup fifth round - has seen some important players depart over the summer months.

Henri Camara has made a year-long loan switch to Celtic Park after finishing last season as second-top scorer. The drop down a division was apparently not to the Senegal striker's liking and Jones had no choice but let him move to the Bhoys.

Also out went Nathan Blake, on a free to Leicester City, and JJ Melligan - who spent temporary spells with Bournemouth, Doncaster and Kidderminster before finally costing Cheltenham Town '2,500 on a permanent deal.

Five members of the team which beat Dale on that bitter January night 18 months ago were involved for Wanderers against Leeds last Saturday.

Midfield general Paul Ince provides the engine in the middle, while striker Kenny Miller, who netted Wolves' controversial second at Molineux, is still leading the line.

Full-back Lee Naylor, who normally teams up with Republic of Ireland winger Mark Kennedy down the left-hand side, will be another familiar face, having just signed a three-year extension to his contract with Wanderers. Kennedy, however, has damaged a medial ligament and looks like missing the next month of action.