McCarthy's side will take a break from league action on Sunday evening to tackle Tranmere in an FA Cup third round tie at Prenton Park when he will field his strongest available side. But inevitably much of the focus is still on the battle to remain in the top flight after Wolves gained promotion from the Championship last season. Wolves entered the new year in 15th position with a reasonable return of 19 points from 20 games. And McCarthy has seen sufficient improvement in recent weeks to have belief that the players at his disposal are good enough to stay above the drop zone. His confidence is reinforced by the news that Michael Kightly and Dave Edwards should be available after injury to add extra depth before the end of January. McCarthy said: "We are in a better position than some of the clubs. We are out of that bottom three. We'd like to be better off, obviously but I think we are improving and getting better. "I don't know what business other clubs will do in January but, if we can't do anything ourselves, then I am delighted with the squad I've got. "I think the squad I've got will still finish above three other teams. That is the main thing. "We are improving, one or two players have found their feet and are starting to look more comfortable. We are okay. "Let me tell you, I'll take 17th position at the end of the season. Go and ask around Wolverhampton what they will all take, 17th, survival. I will take 17th now. "In any case, we might not be able to do anything in the transfer window. We are relying on other people (making players available) to be able to do anything." McCarthy revealed: "I would think Michael Kightly and Dave Edwards will be back the third week of January. "They will be back in three to four weeks. How vital it will be (to sign players) will be found out at the end of the season. "But we have got some players coming back which will make a big difference to us." Tranmere are struggling near the bottom of League One but McCarthy insists he will pay them full respect. He said: "I'm playing a strong team. I'm not going to Tranmere, who are picking up, and not playing a strong team. "I'm not giving any thoughts to anyone that I'm not bothered about it because that is not the case. We need to go to Tranmere and win. We can't treat it lightly in any shape or form." Striker Chris Iwelumo said: "I think the FA Cup is a nice distraction. It's games like this where the squad game does come into it. It's a squad game, everyone needs games. "Manchester United have shown, with the injuries they've had, the team they've had to put out, these players that come in are comfortable because they are getting games through cups. "I think it is massive. I am not sure what the gaffer is going to do on Sunday but it will be nice for the players to get some more minutes under their belts that haven't maybe got as many as the ones who have been starting a lot of the games. "It's a chance to rest players because there are a lot of matches coming up. But everyone wants to play every game, everyone will be wanting to start that match whether they have been playing or not. "The ones that are playing don't want other players to come in and get a chance to prove themselves because they want to stay in the team. "That is what it is about, competition, because it pushes everyone to get the best out of themselves."
