Stefan Postma is in contention to be kept on by Wolverhampton Wanderers beyond the end of his loan spell in mid-January - if he can maintain his form.

After clocking up four successive clean sheets, the on-loan Aston Villa goalkeeper heads a sixstrong queue to be No 1 in the Wolves pecking order.

Michael Oakes is fit again after the badlybruised ankle that gave 6ft 6in Postma his chance, long-term absentee Matt Murray is back in training, and Wolves also have Paul Jones back from his loan spell at Millwall.

In addition, Wolves still have another month's service to call on from young former Liverpool reserve Paul Harrison and they have Carl Ikeme out on loan at Stockport County.

But, after three years of frustration at Villa, Postma is the man in possession of the keeper's jersey.

Wolves manager Glenn Hoddle is delighted with the manner in which the giant Dutchman, voted man of the match for the two saves he made in Saturday's 0-0 draw with Southampton, has taken his chance since Oakes was sidelined by a stamping incident involving Watford defender Clarke Carlisle.

"That's what happens in football," Hoddle said.

" Michael O a k e s

wasn't doing anything wrong. I was happy with the way he's playing. Then he gets a freak injury and now he's having to be patient as Stefan's in good form.

"It was a bit of a risk from our point of view when we took him as he wasn't getting any football at Villa, not even r e s e r v e - t e a m football. But now he's got his chance he's taking it. He was probably at fault for the goal against Brighton when he first came in but he atoned by making two great saves and since then he hasn't been beaten.

"Although he hasn't had that much to do, he has a good presence in the sixyard box and has dealt with everything when set plays go in there.

"He's made key saves. And everything about his game has looked much sharper and more positive.

"Keeping him could be an option for us. But, for the moment, we've just said we'll keep the door open and have a chat when his loan ends in January."

Delighted though he is with Postma's capacity for keeping clean sheets, the Wolves boss is at pains to point out that shutting opposing attacks out is more about teamwork.

"It's a massive thing for the team," Hoddle said. "It's not simply down to a goalkeeper or a back four, it's down to workrate from start to front. If we can keep it going, then we will win football matches."