Mark Little believes he has already proved himself to be a Championship player.
Now the Wolves right-back has to win boss Mick McCarthy’s vote, in the battle with Kevin Foley for the No 2 shirt.
McCarthy has already stated £700,000 signing Foley is his first choice in the role.
Like many however, the Molineux chief has been impressed by the return to form of 22-year-old following his loan at Northampton.
Little reckons he can give McCarthy plenty to think about.
He said: “I feel I’ve proved myself in the Championship before and that probably makes it more frustrating.
“After all the games I’ve played, I feel I can play at this level but Kev did really well last season.
“The more games you play, the more you improve, so I just need to do what I can when I’m given a chance on the pitch.
“It’s the same position for me as this time last year and I’ve just got to try to do better than Kev Foley if I’m going to get in the team.
“The gaffer has told me he wants me to be here fighting for my place. That’s all I can do, try to put pressure on Kev.
“It’s difficult because he’s also a good mate, but if anything happens to Kev or he loses form, I have to be ready for my chance.”
Little is relishing the chance to impress at Wolves again.
He said: “I’m enjoying the friendlies and feel I’m doing OK. It’s hard work and we’ve all been blowing a bit in the games.
“That is what the Scotland trip is about. Once we get back, we should all be ready for 90 minutes. I feel fit and ready.
“It can be hard but it’s also enjoyable. It’s not an easy trip either in terms of the games.
“A lot of teams tend to just play lower league teams during pre-season, but as well as that we’ve got these Scottish teams – the next two of which are in the top division – and Blackburn.
“It’s like the Championship in that respect in terms of there being no easy games.”
The Worcester-born defender has also been relishing the chance to catch up on the banter.
He said: “It’s good to get away with the boys for a week because it helps get everyone together.
“I was in Ireland last year and it was like an intense training camp. It’s a good chance to get a lot of work done, as well as improve team spirit.
“I’m probably one of the youngest lads on tour but that’s been the case now for maybe three years.
“There was a few of us out in Spain where we got a lesson from the older players. It was all a bit different in Ireland last year.
“In Spain, we were definitely the young players and there were big senior players who we really had to respect.
“If we stepped in the wrong place we soon got told! Now, because I’ve been in and around the first team a fair bit and so have the likes of Mark Davies and DJ, it’s not the same feeling.
“I don’t feel nervous around anyone in the dressing room, as maybe I would have done before.
“We’ve got the Playstations and any free time we get we’ll be on there or having a game of cards or whatever.”
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