Mick McCarthy has told his Wolves team to play the game, not the occasion when they line up tagainst Albion in tomorrow night's big promotion clash at Molineux.

The manager is determined not to unnecessarily add to the hype in the countdown to a fixture that is vital to the ambitions of both clubs.

Asked whether three home matches in eight days added up to a defining week, Mick said: "I don't know. It might all go to the last minute on May 4 but tomorrow could set up a defining week.

"All our rivals will sit back and wait to see what happens and it's down to ourselves. We're masters of our own destiny. I've said before that I'd rather be playing teams around us in the table rather than a relegated team who can come here with the pressure off and play free-flowing football.

"I've been at pains over the last eight or ten weeks to say let's just try to win each game and it's important we play the game and not the occasion tomorrow.

"I don't think I give off any vibes about being over-excited. My demeanour isn't going to change."

Wolves surprised many by following up the thrilling Black Country derbies of late last season by taking a deserved point from The Hawthorns in November - a result secured by Wayne Hennessey's late penalty save from Zoltan Gera.

Now they have home advantage, as they also will have against Ipswich on Saturday and FA Cup finalists Cardiff three nights later.

"The games against Albion have been ultra-competitive and very good football matches, with no bad feeling spilling over," Mick added.

"Albion and ourselves will be fully aware of each others' strengths and weaknesses but I tend to concentrate on the way we perform. We have plenty in our locker for them to worry about. I understand they have scored plenty of goals but they have conceded a few more than us.

"It might be a time for not going round worrying but to remind my players: You have been playing well, go and play, go and do it.

"There will be a fabulous atmosphere and this is a vital game for both clubs."