Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Mick McCarthy has eased fears that his No 1 goalkeeper Matt Murray might be destined for another spell on the sidelines.

Murray caused anxiety in the Wolves camp late in Saturday's 1-0 home win over Luton Town when he was led off three minutes from time after falling awkwardly on his right knee.

Although the issue was, not surprisingly, brushed aside by McCarthy on Saturday night, there were understandable concerns, especially given the luckless Murray's past injury track record.

But, after a weekend of rest, the Molineux medical team have now had the chance to take a closer look at Murray's knee and McCarthy confirmed yesterday afternoon that there would be no need for surgery.

"It's nothing serious," he said. "We wanted to take a proper look at it before we made a decision, but there's no need for a scan. It's just bruising and that's a bit of a relief.

"With Matt's history, I can understand why there was concern, but thankfully he'll be all right."

Murray's injury on Saturday meant a busier than expected week for Carl Ikeme, who added Saturday's eight minutes of action against Luton to his busy two hours, plus a penalty shootout, in the Carling Cup defeat to Chesterfield at Saltergate a week ago tonight.

But the hope of working with a fully-fit Murray was one of the main things that attracted McCarthy to Molineux just over a month ago. And it will be a big tonic to have him fit to resume when Wolves return to league action for what should be their hardest game yet against Leeds United at Elland Road next Sunday week.

"I'm not being unkind to the teams we've played but our next game against Leeds will be a tougher test and we've also got the likes of Birmingham, West Brom and Coventry to come," said McCarthy.

"So, while it's nice to have 10 points from five games, it's a tough ask to keep that going. Two points a game is a nice average to get but it would be even nicer if you can do that throughout a season."

McCarthy is already more than aware that he is going to need to keep his best starting XI on the field if his team are to retain their current top-five position in the Championship.

The fortnight he now has available to prepare for that next match should give one or two other Wolves players, notably Jay Bothroyd, the chance to get fit.

It will also be a chance for new left-back Charlie Mulgrew, the makeweight in the Lee Naylor deal, the chance to find his feet. But, given the circumstances in which he took the job, the Wolves boss is still well pleased with the effort he has so far got from his players.

"They've responded well," he said. "All we can do is try to keep it going."

* Micky Adams' slavish devotion to this summer's transfer market shows no sign of abating with only two days remaining.

Despite adding a dozen new players to his ranks since June, the Coventry City manager has been linked with a £500,000 swoop for Rangers' Nacho Novo while Moroccan striker Faysal El Idrissi has been released.