The Black Country outfit are bottom of the table with 32 points, but have a game in hand on most of their rivals.

McCarthy believes a total of 41 points would be enough to preserve their league status.

"If somebody gave me that now, I'd take it away and we would be absolutely safe, no question," he said.

"Three wins out of six games, I'd take that all day long. If it takes more than that, we might all have problems."

McCarthy added that whoever ends up in the bottom three at the end of the season can consider themselves unlucky, such are the fine margins involved this year.

"I don't think there are bad teams at the bottom of the league," he said.

"I know it means that the three teams that go down are the three worst teams in the league, but I don't necessarily think it means they are bad teams.

"We've all had good results against good teams and I think the league is definitely tougher this year.

"Somebody's got to be sad and unlucky though, and lets hope it's not me."

Wolves face Fulham on Saturday, with Mark Hughes' men looking for a win to push them over the 40-point mark.

With half of the league yet to reach that tally, McCarthy believes that the tight nature of the division will help his team in their fight for survival.

He said: "There's never been a time when the bottom team can be so confident that we can get out of it, which we are.

"Everybody still believes they've got the chance to get out, and we've got to maintain that belief."

Wolves lost 3-0 at home to Everton in their last game, which was just under two weeks ago. Despite this result, McCarthy feels his players have not been feeling sorry for themselves.

"The sun's shining and it's been great," he said.

"We've been training well and there's been a good spirit around the place.

"The atmosphere is terrific, but Saturday afternoon counts, it doesn't matter what you do days or weeks prior to the game."

McCarthy also took time out to send his best wishes to Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier, who was admitted to hospital on Wednesday.

"It is a stressful environment to work in," McCarthy said.

"We all know it's a brilliant environment and a hugely rewarding job, but when it's tough, it does put the stress on you.

"Villa and Gerard were having a bit of a tough time of it, they're fine now, I'm certain, but I just hope he's fine because he's a good pal of mine.

"I hope he's well. It's not worth your health, that's for sure, as much as we all love the job."