Wolves utility man Stephen Ward has insisted promotion would be hollow ‘without a medal around our necks.’

The Irishman has urged his team-mates to gain the point required to clinch the Championship title at relegation-threatened Barnsley.

Wolves would have to lose their two final games and second-placed Birmingham win theirs with a 10-goal swing to deny Mick McCarthy’s long-term leaders the title.

But Ward said: “We’re promoted but the boys want to do it in style – there’s no point in not having a medal around our necks to show for it at the end of it all.

“We’re nearly there, but with Barnsley away we’ve been training as normal. The lads will work hard to get the point we need to win the title.

“We enjoyed the weekend but we’ve moved on and we’ll treat it as any other game now.”

Ward also backed up boss McCarthy’s claim that the nucleus of the ‘young and hungry’ squad are good enough to be given a chance in the Premier League next season.

The player said: “Although there will be signings, I think the core of the bunch that’s here will be given a chance.

“We’ve got players that will create chances and score. We’ve got two good wingers and front men who will score goals – all they need is one chance on any given day.

“So of course we fancy ourselves but it’s easier said than done.”

Wolves will be without top scorer Sylvan Ebanks-Blake (hamstring) and playmaker Dave Jones (knee) for the visit to Oakwell.

Sam Vokes and Kyel Reid stand by to deputise.