We've become desperate - McCarthy

Mick McCarthy's men have won just once in the league since Christmas

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy admits that a hint of desperation has set into his team's promotion challenge.

After just one win in nine league games, Wolves' lead at the top of the Championship has shrunk to three points following Saturday's defeat at Burnley.

"We're all striving to get there - maybe desperate to get there - and that's a little bit of the problem," McCarthy told BBC WM.

"Maybe we have to get back to picking up points on a match-by-match basis."

McCarthy has taken his squad to Spain for some warm-weather training before returning for their final push at winning promotion to the Premier League.

"I think it will do them good to spend a bit of time with each other and to be able to train in a bit of warm weather," said McCarthy. "Not on a frozen pitch with bobble hats and gloves and four or five different layers on.

"They can have some down time and it will be good for them to enjoy each other's company and to come back rested and in a resurgent mood ready for the 13 games we've got left."

Wolves' next game is Sunday's home clash with former boss Dave Jones' in-form Cardiff City (22 February, 1300 GMT).