by Dave Knapper

WOLVES manager Mick McCarthy has good reason to be wary of tonight's pre-season friendly trip to Crewe Alexandra (7.30pm).

Twelve years ago, McCarthy's Republic of Ireland suffered a huge scare in a World Cup qualifying tie against an Iceland side managed by Crewe boss Gudjon Thordarson.

Iceland led 2-1 in Reykavik, before Roy Keane inspired Ireland to a 4-2 victory, which settled the nerves in their qualifying campaign.

Tonight will be the first time the managers have gone head-to-head since that 1997 clash, and Thordarson is full of praise for his opposite number.

"I am looking forward to seeing Mick and shaking his hand," said Thordarson.

"He has done a terrific job at Wolves and I am looking forward to seeing how they do in the Premier League."

All that hinges on tonight's game for Thordarson is a chance to ensure his Crewe side continue their fine-tuning ahead of the League Two opener at home to Dagenham on August 8, as they look to bounce back to League One at the first attempt.

And his one-time international sparring partner is living proof that managers can tread through the rubble of relegation before dusting themselves off and successfully rebuilding a team.

Like Thordarson, McCarthy took control of a team already on the slide when he became Sunderland boss in March 2003 and was unable to stop an inevitable slip through the trapdoor.

McCarthy lead Sunderland back into the Premier League as champions two years later, and has now repeated his promotion trick at Molineux.

The 50-year-old has had a busy summer recruiting a string of new players to give his side a chance of surviving in the Premier League.

Striker Kevin Doyle arrived from Reading in a £6.5m deal, and was followed by Royals team-mate Marcus Hahnemann, who has boosted McCarthy's goalkeeping options.

Other purchases include Southampton's Andrew Surman and Greg Halford coming in from Sunderland for £2m, while Nenad Milijas has joined from Red Star Belgrade, along with Marseille's Ronald Zubar.

Hahnemann looks set for a starting role tonight and he will be joined by fringe players Neill Collins, Jason Shackell, Darren Ward and David Jones.

McCarthy will also field the former Celtic defender Bobo Balde, who is currently on trial at the club.

The rest of the side will be made up of youngsters as Wolves also sent a side to face former midfielder Paul Ince's MK Dons last night.

Thordarson will be hoping to have a fully fit side available, but could be without Shaun Miller (ankle) and Danny Shelley (knee).

Trialist Maxime Chanot looks set to be involved as he hopes to win a deal.

With the final fitness tests now complete, the Crewe boss says all players will be firmly under the spotlight.

"It will be a good test for them against Wolves," he said. "There are a couple of things I will be looking out for in the game.

"When we lose possession, how quickly we can regroup and defend.

"And when we win the ball, I want to see how quickly we can attack them and hurt them."