Joleon Lescott says Terry Connor has respect of Wolves players

Terry Connor pictured with Mick McCarthy (GETTY IMAGES)

England defender Joleon Lescott has given his backing to new Wolves boss Terry Connor who will take charge of the relegation strugglers for the rest of the season, beginning with Newcastle this weekend.

Manchester City star Lescott spent six years at Wolves and believes Connor is one of the most influential coaches he has worked with.

Connor was announced as the replacement for sacked manager Mick McCarthy this morning.

Lescott said: "TC is one of the most influential coaches I have worked with in my career - and that includes everyone I have worked with. I owe him a lot.

"There are many other things he told me at the time that I maybe didn't realise immediately but then, as I developed in my career, started to work really well.

"He's a proper football man, and probably one of the most knowledgeable about the game that there is around and helped to develop people like Matt Jarvis and Michael Kightly."

Lescott added: "TC had a lot of respect from the players at the time when I was there and I am sure that will be the same from the lads who are at Wolves now.

"He was always such a focused and determined person and everything was so well organised that, if he is in charge of Wolves on Saturday, they will certainly be well prepared."

Wolves made the appointment after failing with approaches to the likes of Alan Curbishley, Brian McDermott, Gus Poyet and Walter Smith.

PA