It still seems almost unthinkable that Wolverhampton Wanderers should even be in the frame to return to the Premiership.

But there they are, just three points shy of the play-off pack ahead of tonight's trip to Portman Road to play Ipswich Town — and looking good.

It was in Suffolk four seasons ago that Dave Jones' Wolves put in the display which truly made that team believe they were going up, with an inspiring 4-2 win.

Only Matt Murray remains from that team. But a repeat performance against an Ipswich side still smarting from their harsh FA Cup exit at Watford on Saturday would make a few more doubters sit up and take notice.

On current form, with six wins from their last eight away games there is nothing to suggest Mick McCarthy's men are not capable of another one.

Not only did they win at one of the Championship's main strongholds by beating high-riding Preston North End, they then followed it up with Saturday's gritty 2-1 home victory over Burnley — only their second win at Molineux in ten games.

And if they can at last get it right at home, while maintaining their standards on the road, even the wily McCarthy knows his team have a chance. But, with another home game to come in five days' time against struggling Leeds United following the trip to Ipswich, McCarthy is not the only one hoping a corner has been turned.

The essential reason is the new wave of confidence that has swept through Molineux since the arrival of a different strike partnership in Andy Keogh and Stephen Ward to build on the burst of enthusiasm injected by the emergence of young winger Michael Kightly.

The non-League bargain was a doubt after suffering a painful blow to his side which forced him off early against Burnley after scoring Wolves' first goal. But the former Southend and Grays Athletic flier is back close to his old stomping ground tonight and is expected to play.

Meanwhile, at the back tonight, McCarthy faces one of his toughest selection decisions since he took charge.

Gary Breen is free to play again after serving his three-game ban for the red card he received for his foul on Norwich City's Darren Huckerby in Wolves' last trip to East Anglia last month.

Also up for selection again for the first time in two months is skipper Jody Craddock, who played the final half hour on Saturday in his first appearance since suffering an Achilles injury in the 2-2 home draw against Norwich on December 23.

But Craddock's long absence has allowed Neill Collins, McCarthy's autumn signing from Sunderland, to establish himself. And the only thing McCarthy has guaranteed about his team selection tonight is that it will not be the impressive Collins who makes way.

"Neill's been different class," said McCarthy. "All I've got to decide is who plays with him."

One player who definitely will not be involved tonight is Jemal Johnson, who yesterday made a loan move to Leeds.

The August signing has been sidelined since the arrival of Ward and Keogh, and had been tipped to move on. But, although he is set for a Leeds debut against Queens Park Rangers at Elland Road tonight, he will not be allowed to play against Wolves at Molineux on Saturday.

>> MORE WOLVES NEWS