Karl Henry has risked inflaming the Premier League match between Stoke City and Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday night by predicting "a really dirty game" where "both teams will be kicking lumps out of each other".

Henry has previously accused the Fulham midfielder Danny Murphy of changing the way Wolves are perceived by referees and the public this season, yet his own remarks about what lies ahead at the Britannia Stadium suggests he recognises his side can be uncompromising at times. "It's going to be a really dirty game up there," Henry said. "Both teams will be kicking lumps out of each other. It's going to be an ugly, dirty game that no one wants to go and watch."

The Wolves captain's comments are unlikely to go down well with his manager, Mick McCarthy, who became aggrieved earlier in the season when Wolves picked up what he felt was an unfair reputation for being overly aggressive.

Tony Pulis, whom Henry played under during the Stoke manager's first spell in charge, will also be less than impressed with the notion that his side, who have been criticised for their approach, will be going out to kick Wolves.

Whatever the nature of the game at Stoke, Wolves are desperate for points to climb out of the bottom three. "It's a huge game again, Stoke are a good side," said Henry. "I know Tony from my time there. He sticks to his principles, strategy, regardless of what's going on. Everyone hates playing Stoke and going there but we are going to relish it. They've done so well in getting to the FA Cup final."

Henry said that Pulis should be named manager of the year for his achievement in getting Stoke to Wembley. "Maybe people are starting to realise they need to give him the respect he deserves. It's not easy to win games and for years people have been trying to come up with ways of winning games. Barcelona do it their way, Blackpool do it their way, Stoke do it their way. They pick up points, they are horrible to play against and that's credit to him. I'm sure they will go on and do even better next season."

In comments that will surprise some, Henry suggested that he failed to make enough tackles to keep Pulis happy. "I wasn't his type of player when he came, that was it for me," the 28-year-old said. "Maybe back then I didn't put my foot in as much. I just came through at the wrong time and sometimes you just need to move on and find yourself. Perhaps I could do a job for him now – older, wiser and perhaps I'd now know what he wants. Things didn't work out there but no grudges, he was always a top man with me."