Michael Kightly insists Wolves’ fringe players such as Matt Hill and George Friend deserve a chance to be part of the club’s Premier League dream.

The winger believes the nucleus is already in place of a young, promising team who can prove themselves at the top level.

But the 23-year-old also reckons bit-part players such as 28-year-old Hill, who played 13 games in the Championship title win, and emerging 21-year-old fellow left-back Friend, who figured in just six, have earned the right to face players such as Cristiano Ronaldo next season.

Asked how many players were needed to help Wolves survive at the top level, Kightly said: “That’s up to the gaffer.

“I’d like to hope they would give the players who got us up a chance – players like Matt Hill and George Friend and those who don’t always get recognised.

“They’ve played their share of games on the way to the Premier League – and they’ll all want a crack at it, and I’m sure they will.”

Wolves have been linked with at least 30 players and have offered around £2.6m for Red Star Belgrade captain Nenad Milijas, according to the player’s agent.

Kightly believes the current squad will thrive on competition.

“We all know though we do need a bit more experience and a bit more quality to help us get through,” he said.

“But competition always helps and it’s always healthy. When you haven’t got that competition you can get a bit stale sometimes.

“But I think we’ve had that (competition for places) all the time since I’ve been here anyway.”