THEY may have nothing to play for in terms of promotion or relegation, but Wolves have reputations and jobs on the line, writes Derek Davis.Glenn Hoddle arrived at Molineux in December initially on a contract until the end of the season but after steadying the ship, if not sailing it at top knots, he has done enough to warrant an extension and plans for next season are already underway.

THEY may have nothing to play for in terms of promotion or relegation, but Wolves have reputations and jobs on the line, writes Derek Davis.

Glenn Hoddle arrived at Molineux in December initially on a contract until the end of the season but after steadying the ship, if not sailing it at top knots, he has done enough to warrant an extension and plans for next season are already underway.

Rob Edwards and the ageless Paul Ince have already been offered new contracts and other are bound to follow - if they produce the goods.

Wolves have drawn 20 of their 41 games, 11 of them at home and Hoddle has been in charge of 15 games that have finished all-square since he took over.

If they draw three from their five remaining league games they will join Norwich, Exeter, Hartlepool and Cardiff in the record books with 23 draws in a season.

Ipswich will be looking to hand them their first home defeat in 10 games and Hoddle is wary of the Blues.

He said: “We know they will be coming for a win but they know we won't be taking our foot off the pedal.

“We want to finish the season with as many points as possible and we want to see the good form we have shown of late result in a win.

“It's going to be a good test for us against one of the best sides in the division. And, if the pitch allows it, a good game of football.”

Hoddle has galvanised a side that seemed to be floundering after relegation under Dave Jones.

His previously-questioned man-management skills have been a factor with a number of senior players at Molineux coming out and saying that they and the team have improved under Hoddle, and that they want him to carry on next season.

The underachieving Carl Cort is on a good run of form and with one or two additions to the squad, Wolves would definitely rate as promotion contenders next season.

Hoddle's successes as a manager so far have mainly been short-term. Promotion via the play-offs at Swindon, with a certain Kevin Horlock in the squad, was followed by a move to Chelsea before the difficult task of achieving survival in the Premier League with a small club was attempted.

Next season with Wolves represents a wonderful opportunity to re-establish himself among the elite in football managers so he won't be allowing his players to take it easy tonight or for the remainder of the season.

He goes into tonight's game without the injured Keith Andrews, Matt Murray and Mark Clyde, but is expected to stay with the side that drew with Leicester last week.