Picking up points at places like Stamford Bridge is seen as a bonus for teams like Wolves.

Very rarely do relegation-threatened sides come away with anything from Chelsea, or any of the other ‘big four’ clubs.

But Mick McCarthy’s men are desperate for points.

Just two points separate them and Bolton in 18th place and Wolves have managed just one win in their last ten Premier League games.

However, it’s not exactly all going to plan in west London either.

Sunday’s 2-1 defeat against Liverpool saw the mega-rich Blues slump to back-to-back home defeats for the first time under Roman Abramovich’s eight-year reign.

Whether they will be low on confidence after those results or fired up ready for a backlash remains to be seen.

Wolves will travel south as massive underdogs and won’t be expected to get anything – but if the unthinkable happens it could just be the catalyst to kick-start their season.

McCarthy will have to ring the changes because Jamie O’Hara and Stephen Hunt are both suspended.

Richard Stearman will also miss the game through injury so Wolves’ fringe players know that there are at least three spaces up for grabs.

McCarthy has told his squad that they will all have the opportunity to stake a claim for a first-team spot as the team head into the usual glut of December fixtures.

After Saturday’s trip to the capital Wolves start a spell of seven fixtures in 29 days, and the battle to be in the first eleven has already began.

“There are a few of them that haven’t played who need games because they haven’t played for quite a while,” said McCarthy. “I’m not going to individualise it and say who can and who can’t force their way into my team for Saturday, but of course there are opportunities for people.

“There are a lot of games coming up with the Christmas period.

“Games come a little bit thicker and faster than they do at the moment from Saturday to Saturday.

“There might be a need for change so everyone has got to be fit and raring to go.”

Stearman underwent his operation on his broken wrist on Monday but it is unclear how long he will be out for at present.

Kevin Foley is still not ready to return to training but is stepping up his recovery from injury.

The favourite to replace Stearman at Chelsea is Ronald Zubar who is now just lacking match fitness.

The right-back hasn’t played a competitive game since February because of back and groin injuries but is now edging closer to a full return.

“There have been all sorts of time limits suggested with Stears,” said McCarthy.

“If you do what he has done, then that sort of thing can happen, but if it is four weeks, then I think we’d be happy with that.

“Stearman has had a really good season – I’ve been delighted with him.

“So it’s a blow to lose him, but Zubar is coming back so hopefully he’ll be ready to come back on Saturday because he’s the natural replacement, of course.

“I spoke to Foles and it will be a couple of weeks before he’s back training fully with a ball I think. He’s on course so he’s done well.”