George Elokobi has vowed to succeed at centre-half after his first start in the new position – by picking Wolves boss Mick McCarthy’s brains.

Elokobi had a nervous start and almost gifted Motherwell a second goal, when he left a backpass woefully short of keeper Wayne Hennessey in last night’s 1-1 draw.

Thankfully, Elokobi’s blushes were spared as Hennessey managed to save Chris Porter’s shot with his legs.

He recovered to have a steadier game and the 22-year-old believes he can learn the position by listening to McCarthy, a former centre-half himself with Barnsley, Manchester City, Celtic, Millwall and the Republic of Ireland.

He said: “He’s a former centre-half himself and we’re going to have a chat about the game. He will tell me what I did right and wrong.

“It’s a bit different playing centre-back and it will definitely take me a couple of games into my stride there.

“I’m happy to play wherever the manager wants and I’ll do a job for myself and the team.

“I enjoy playing there. I started at Dulwich Hamlet as a centre half, so it’s not completely strange to me. It’s just a case of getting a couple of games under my belt in that position.

“It’s nice to know the manager and staff think I can play in that position. I’m a naturally left-footed player and can do a job there.

“I’m strong, I think I’m quick enough and can read the game as well. It’s great the gaffer feels he can trust me.”

Elokobi admitted he felt a little like a fish out of water in the unfamilar role.

He said: “It’s completely different to play in the centre. At times I maybe tried to overplay and he told me that but you can only learn.

“In the centre you’ve got to know when to play and when to get the ball clear, but I enjoyed it.

“At Colchester I played centre-half in the reserves and doing it in a game like last night is very different still.

“There are cleverer players and you have to be really focused 100 per cent throughout.

“If I do play a couple more games there I think I’ll get right into my stride. If I’m asked to play there in the Championship I’d be more than happy.

“I did it for about 25 minutes for Colchester in a game at Cardiff when I was asked to and I did a job.

“It’s not completely strange, but it’s just a case of getting back into that mentality and being a centre half.

“Sometimes you may be tempted to go forward and attack as I like to at left back, but in the centre you can’t really do it.

“It’s another string to the bow and not necessarily class yourself as just a left-back. All I can do now is take on board what the gaffer tells me.”

Elokobi was satisfied with his performance overall and the overall display of the team in general.

He said: “It was a really great workout. Most of us got 70 minutes and it was a good tempo which is exactly what we needed.

“Motherwell are a good side and we managed to show we are too and created some good chances.

“It will come for us, and we’ll take those chances as time goes on and we get fitter.

“We’re certainly feeling the benefits of the fitness regime – I know I am.”