All in a day's work......

As a footnote to the earlier blog about Mick McCarthy, talk about keeping a secret!

Turns out that prior to today's 9am press conference, McCarthy had already cycled over 20 miles having joined Alan Shearer and Adrian Chiles on a leg of their epic Sports Relief ride.

It was a right old early start this morning in Burton, just after 6am no less, with McCarthy joining Shearer and Chiles for 19 miles before turning off at Muckley Corner and pedalling all the way to Compton well in time for 9am.

And do you know what? Not only did the Wolves gaffer not breathe a word of his exploits to the assembled audience this morning, he didn't even look out of aforementioned breath!

Top bloke. And brings back memories of a cycle ride McCarthy led while Ireland manager in aid of three hospitals primarily looking after cancer patients.

Now unable to run any great distance thanks to various injuries sustained as a player and indeed having undergone an ankle operation since taking the helm at Wolves, cycling offers McCarthy his biggest fitness kick.

More often than not the early arrivers at his Friday morning press conference will see the helmet-cladded boss powering through the gates to the training ground having already indulged in a lengthy morning workout.

Indeed only recently he carried out a media briefing for the local press after spending over an hour on the bike - an exercise bike - whilst watching a re-run of a previous Wolves game.

And just like this morning, after a couple of warm-down stretches and wiping the sweat from his brow, you would never have known.