Matt Jarvis believes his partnership with George Elokobi can see off comers down the left flank for Wolves this season.
Like all the squad in Scotland, former Gillingham man Jarvis has had to be content with playing 45 minutes in each friendly, as boss Mick McCarthy has fielded different sides in each half.
The 22-year-old winger believes he and the impressive Elokobi can keep out trialist Ian Harte, Daniel Jones and Michael Gray and start the season as they finished 2007-08 – in tandem, marauding down the left wing.
He said: “George and I have worked on things at the training ground and the last game of the season, against Plymouth, was our best together.
“It was just a shame that the season ended when it did. We want to make our partnership on the left even stronger.
“George is so full of energy and enthusiasm it’s great to work with him.
“But DJ (Daniel Jones) is breathing down my neck and we all saw what a good job Stephen Ward can do on the left.
“In the friendlies so far, the gaffer has used a new side for each half of the game.
“I don’t mind that because you know you are going to get 45 minutes and you can put everything into it.
“We all know there’s pressure on every position with the squad we’ve got. It’s important to stay right on top of your game.”
Jarvis’s optimism is in sharp contrast to his misfortune this time last year, suffering a hip injury in a friendly on the pre-season tour of Ireland, delaying his debut for three months.
He said: “I’d waited all summer to have the chance of playing – even in the friendlies. Then, in the second one, I picked up an injury that was to rule me out for three months.
“I thought it was a strain when it happened at Bray, but I couldn’t have been more wrong.
“Thankfully that’s all in the past now. Like the rest of the boys, I’m getting back into the swing of things.
“We’ve worked hard over the summer and we can’t wait for the season to start.”
Jarvis is enjoying working with the new signings. He believes strikers Sam Vokes and Chris Iwelumo can only add to the impact and of him and Michael Kightly with their physical presence.
He said: “The gaffer has made some great signings over the summer. Although they have only played in friendlies so far, you can see already what they can bring to the table.
“They have fitted in both on and off the pitch straight away. Sam and big Chris are perfect target men for the likes of me and ‘Kights’.
“But that’s dependent on me being selected.”
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