Karl Henry is in the Wolves team and staying there, says Mick McCarthy

Mick McCarthy has told the Wolverhampton Wanderers fans who cheered when Karl Henry was substituted against Newcastle United that the midfielder retains his unequivocal support and is certain to start against West Bromwich Albion on Sunday. "Karl Henry and 10 others will be playing for Wolves on Sunday, don't worry about that," McCarthy said ahead of the Black Country derby at The Hawthorns. "I don't have to come out and give him my public support and condemn other people for doing anything. My support comes for a guy that has been here five years with me – everything that's been good about my tenure here, he's been part of it, and will continue to be. He's terrific at what he does." McCarthy believes that the Wolves supporters who booed following Henry's withdrawal were turning their anger on those who criticised the midfielder rather than subjecting the former captain to more abuse. "I think that any player that plays for any club and gives you heart and soul like he does should always be respected," he said. "I thought there was almost instantly a backlash of boos, and I think it was aimed at the people who were cheering. "I think people were thinking: 'Hold on a minute, that's wrong'. They weren't booing Karl. They were booing the people that cheered. So I think there was an understanding as well. And they might as well understand, he's got my unequivocal support. I might take him off, I might decide to leave him out at some stage for a different reason, but he's got the backing of the manager and his team-mates."