Iwelumo sorry at Charlton plight

Iwelumo has not found the net for Wolves since 25 November

Wolves striker Chris Iwelumo admits he has sympathy for his former club Charlton as he prepares to face the Championship's bottom club on Saturday.

Iwelumo scored 10 goals in 50 games for the Addicks last season.

"When I signed for Charlton they had a very strong squad, and were favourites to bounce back [to the Premier League]," Iwelumo told BBC WM.

"In the summer a lot of players left, including myself, and it's never really happened for the players who came in."

The Scotland international, who moved to Molineux in July 2008, is looking to rediscover his scoring touch against the Addicks after a drought of 16 matches.

Iwelumo, 30, was prolific in the first half of the season, notching 15 goals, but has not found the net since 25 November.

And on Saturday his focus will be firmly on Wolves' promotion bid, rather than any sentimental feeling for Charlton's plight at the other end of the table.

"Obviously that personal thing for me, I don't think it really comes into play," said the former Colchester forward.

They've given themselves a lot to do if I'm being honest

Wolves striker Chris Iwelumo on his former club Charlton's survival hopes

"With eight games to go, we're sitting top of the table and it's all to play for. We've got to get as many points as possible."

Although Iwelumo recognises Charlton are still fighting for their lives, securing a last-gasp 2-2 draw at Reading in midweek, he does not rate highly their chances of surviving in the second tier.

"You know how hard the Championship is and if you go on a little run of bad results you can find yourself in a bit of a rut," he explained.

"They've given themselves a lot to do if I'm being honest. I've got a lot of friends there and it'll be a sore one to take for them."

Iwelumo is expected to shrug off a couple of slight knocks to retain his place in Mick McCarthy's starting line-up but Wolves will be without their injured winger Matt Jarvis.