Ex-Wolves boss Mick McCarthy on George Elokobi’s FA Cup exploits with Maidstone United and their fourth-round tie at Ipswich Town | McCarthy managed the Tractor Boys for six years and hopes they reach the Premier League

Former Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has seen everything he expected of a George Elokobi team.

McCarthy accepted an invitation from his old left-back to watch Maidstone’s FA Cup third-round win over Stevenage at the Gallagher Stadium.

He liked what he saw as the Stones pulled off a 1-0 upset against their League 1 opponents although he “went through the wringer” towards the end as Boro chased an equaliser.

McCarthy will be watching on TV when United travel to his old club Ipswich in round four on Saturday (12.30pm).

He managed the Tractor Boys for six years between 2012 and 2018, taking them to the Championship play-offs.

They were relegated the year after he left but have rebuilt and are challenging for the Premier League under Kieran McKenna.

Maidstone will need all the qualities McCarthy witnessed against Stevenage to stand any chance of a famous upset.

But with Elokobi in charge, Maidstone will give absolutely everything.

“George had asked me to come to a game before,” said McCarthy, 64.

“With the cup tie, I thought, ‘Yeah, I’ll go down and watch that’. It was great. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

“It put me through the wringer in those last 10 minutes, and I’ve been through the wringer enough, but it was great excitement.

“He’s such a lovely guy and he puts his heart and soul into everything.

“He does things properly, he treats people well and I was thrilled for him.

“In terms of work rate, determination and will to win, he’s got all of that in his team and I’m sure he wouldn’t tolerate anybody who didn’t want to be that way and work for the team.

“The team ethic, that’s what he would have, and you could quite clearly see that.

“Stevenage, they’re doing well in League 1 and they looked to have one or two good players

“And