Mick McCarthy went through an unbeaten November on crutches and spent the month orchestrating training with the aid of a golf buggy!

Wolves manager McCarthy led his side to five victories out of six to ease the pain of a recent ankle operation and scoop the Coca-Cola Championship Manager of the Month award for last month.

Although McCarthy will be throwing away the sticks in another week he is hoping that Wolves' good fortune don't disappear with them!

He said: "I've not been leaping around as much as I'm used to as I've been protecting the ankle.

"But I've still been leaping around too much to be honest!

"I've been on the training ground every day. I haven't done anything differently, Terry Connor and myself share the coaching duties and maybe he's done a little bit more - but I've been out for sessions as normal.

"I go out on my golf buggy - my Popemobile - to make sure I'm out there watching what's going on and giving some input when it's needed.

"I'd sooner have my clubs in the back and be going for a round of golf though!

"If anyone thinks I'll be keeping the crutches as some sort of good luck charm then they can think again!

"As soon as I don't need them any more I'll be rid of them."

Wolves' only blip in November was a 1-1 draw against local rivals Birmingham City, after victories over Cardiff City, Burnley, Southampton, Blackpool and Sheffield United.

But McCarthy is acutely aware that he still faces a major battle to take his club into the Premier League.

He said: "There's still a long way to go in the Championship and everyone is going to be fighting tooth and nail right to the end.

"Every game in this league is tough. But in November we had several games against in-form teams towards the top of the table.

"I think maybe the fact that we won a couple of those away from home against Cardiff and Sheffield United tipped the balance in our favour.

"There were a lot of teams who had some good results but perhaps that swung it our way.

"It's nice to get another accolade like this - but we've not actually achieved anything yet."

For all the latest news on Wolverhampton Wanderers please click here