Wolves boss Mick McCarthy is backing Marlon Harewood to come good in their title run-in.

The on-loan Aston Villa striker, 29, was taunted by Birmingham fans in Monday's damaging defeat by their title rivals.

And McCarthy knows he was found out by the furious pace of the Championship's battle.

McCarthy said: "I don't think Marlon was any better or worse than everybody else but it wasn't an easy start for him.

"In training, he has been terrific and impressed everyone but it was a bit of a shock to the system for him!"