Wolves striker Chris Iwelumo has challenged Wolves to start the season like Hull and come flying out of the blocks in the Premier League next season.

Hull rocked the top flight by taking 20 points from their first 10 games to give themselves a platform to stay up, even though they have won just one of their last 19 League games to sit just three points clear of the drop with three games left.

Wolves’ Championship-winning campaign was built on two seven-game winning streaks at the start of the season, which saw them race clear of the chasing pack and keep them at the top through their run of one win in 11 in January and February.

The striker said: “We’ve seen other teams go up to the Premier League, make an impression and we saw Hull in particular make a great start this season.

“They’ve slid away in recent weeks but they made an incredible start and showed that promoted teams can get results in the league.”

Hull went into the season having splashed out around £25m on signings such as Geovanni and Daniel Cousin.

Iwelumo believes boss Mick McCarthy has to do something similar if Wolves are to survive next season.

The striker said: “I’m sure there will be some good additions of players with Premier League experience and those of us already here will relish the challenge.

“There will have to be an improvement.”

Iwelumo insists the current squad must retain their belief if they are to prosper in the top flight.

He said: “Everyone outside of the club will have us as among the favourites to come straight back down.

“It’s up to us to go about making sure that doesn’t happen. We must also believe we are going to be able to establish ourselves as well.

“Like most of the players it would be my first time in the Premier League and I’m sure we’d all feel we’ve got a point to prove.

“It’s going to be very tough, we all know that.”