Mancienne migraine provides McCarthy headache

So will Mick McCarthy pick his England man, or stay loyal to his Scottish braveheart?

Of all the selection posers that have cropped up in this so-far fantastic season, the Boxing Day poser concerning the heart of the Wolves defence is the most fascinating.

Of course there's a very simple argument that can be made - Michael Mancienne has found his way into Fabio Capello's national squad on the back of some stylish, accomplished performances for Wolves. So he has to play for us every time he's fit.

That's an argument that will win favour with a lot of Wolves fans. And it may well be the argument that wins the day as we tackle Sheffield United at Molineux.

But there is a counter-argument worthy of debate - and that is to the absolute credit of the redoubtable Neill Collins.

Matt Jarvis and Chris Iwelumo restored to the starting line-up against the Blades, with Stephen Ward back to left back, is a fairly simple scenario to predict - and hope for!

But who will line up alongside Richard Stearman - Mancienne or Collins?

Twice the young Scot has been unfortunate to lose his place to the on-loan Chelsea man. And after his goalscoring heroics at Doncaster last weekend, a third demotion would be an increasingly bitter pill.

But his winning goal at the Keepmoat Stadium, after his 11th hour call-up to replace the sick Mancienne, is something of a red herring. McCarthy does not pick defenders for their goalscoring, he picks them for their defending.

Collins is courageous, determined, and wins most aerial challenges. But he's been prone to the odd slip.

Mancienne wins all his aerial challenges, and apart from an uncomfortable evening at QPR, has been imperious in the old gold.

You may think I'm edging towards Mancienne taking on James Beattie on Boxing Day, but I'm honestly not sure McCarthy will leave Collins out.

His reaction to being left out on previous occasions has been exemplary, but McCarthy is fiercely loyal to players who "put in a shift".

That's why Collins and Ward, and Kevin Foley and Karl Henry, are as vital to the squad that McCarthy is steering towards the Premier League as Sylvan and Kightly.

I wrote in praise of Collins after his fantastic performance at Preston in September, and his winning goal at Doncaster means he's now officially a fans' favourite, something of a cult hero.

He will get a huge ovation if he runs towards the South Bank on Boxing Day as a substitute with his tracksuit on.

But don't bet on Collins needing a tracksuit at all on Friday.