WOLVES boss Mick McCarthy has hit back at reports claiming he has had to stamp out a ‘‘gambling culture’’ at Molineux.

McCarthy has slammed suggestions that four firstteam players and one youth team player had been ‘‘gambling too much’’ last season as ‘‘lies’’.

He is also bemused that his comments about the positive work which Wolves carry out with their first team and academy players has been spun to negative effect.

McCarthy, in a statement, said: ‘‘It saddens me that a lot of positive work we are doing with our players should be reported in this way.

‘‘Yes, we do have people come in to talk to the firstteam players and academy players, talking to them about gambling and drinking and drugs.

‘‘We have a sports therapist, Bill Stevens, as well as former player Jeff Whitley, and trained counsellor Mike Wood, who come in on a regular basis.

‘‘But, as I said, that is purely a preventative measure rather than a reaction to anything that has happened.

‘‘We do not have a gambling problem at Wolves, nor have we had one in the past, and to suggest we have is just lies.

‘‘There are always potential threats around for players but we take our responsibilities very seriously, which is why we have these specialists come in.

‘‘It’s pastoral care – and it’s fantastic that the club are so supportive of it.

‘‘It’s prevention rather than cure.”

■ Blackpool manager Ian Holloway has been handed a two-game touchline ban at an FA Regulatory Commission hearing.

Holloway was given the ban following his breach of an FA misconduct rule during the Seasiders’ recent FA Cup tie against Ipswich, and was also fined £2,400 and warned as to his future conduct.

The 2-1 defeat saw both Ian Evatt and Rob Edwards sent off, and Holloway himself was sent to the stands for remonstrating with the fourth official.

The ban means Holloway will oversee the games against Watford today and Coventry next Saturday from the stands.