Kevin Doyle is a major doubt for Wolves' clash with Stoke at Molineux.
The striker is struggling with bleeding in his calf, an injury which ruled him out of the Republic of Ireland's friendly against Argentina on Wednesday.Watch Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Stoke City Live Stream Soccer August 14 Barclays Premier League 2010
Despite Wolves' impressive finish last season, and McCarthy's £18million outlay on new players this summer, Wolves are still tipped by many as relegation fodder this term.
He added: "Could we get into the top 10? We would have to have one hell of a season and if we ended up with that we would all be cock-a-hoop.Watch Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Stoke City Live Stream Soccer August 14 Barclays Premier League 2010
"If we got 15th we would be as well because the league is going to be just as tough and competitive. So I want better than 17th, I want better than 15th and we will be trying to get it.
"But come on, if we ended up 15th, 16th or 17th and stayed in the league, people would take it as everyone says about the second season being tougher than the first.''
Stoke manager Tony Pulis will make a late decision on whether to pitch new striker Kenwyne Jones straight into the starting line-up.
Jones joined Stoke on Wednesday from Sunderland in a club record £8million deal, however, Pulis has suggested the Trinidad & Tobago star is not as fit as the rest of his squad.
Although Pulis has options in attack, it is in midfield where the Potters are light at present, with Salif Diao opting not to sign a new deal, Liam Lawrence out with a groin strain and Glenn Whelan struggling with a calf injury. Defender Abdoulaye Faye is also a major concern with a hamstring injury collected in a recent pre-season friendly.
Pulis has warned his players against believing they have cracked it after two years in the top flight.
Pulis fears a nonchalant attitude could prove City's undoing ahead of their third season of Barclays Premier League football.
So far Pulis and the Potters have defied expectations by finishing 12th at the end of their debut campaign in 2008-09, and improving to 11th last season.
Pulis is convinced if Stoke can again stay up this season, a fourth campaign in 2011-12 will see the club start to make significant strides.
"It's just a dream for me to be manager of this club. I've said it all along and I mean it - every morning I wake up I'm a privileged person,'' said Pulis.
"I'm like that and I want the players to feel the same. It's vital we retain the level of enthusiasm, commitment and togetherness we have had over the years.
"As soon as we start to get blase then things will fall apart, so we have to stay solid, focused and not give a damn about what anybody else outside this city says or does.
"We stick together as a group, as a team, and if we can be as unified as we've been, then we'll continue to push forward.
"If we stay in the Premier League again that will be three years, and I really think you will see a massive improvement in the club.
"There are things we are putting in place that will help make this club a better club in the future.
"So give us this season, and by hook or by crook we stay in the league, then I think you'll see a really solid club next season.''
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