Time to map out a plan for Villa's future
- Says blogger Matthew Turvey
Sylvan tipped to be a Premier hit
Monday 22nd June 2009, 9:43AM BST.
Wolves’ players have backed Sylvan Ebanks-Blake to be a Premier League hit after he agreed a new contract.
The 23-year-old hotshot will sign his new four-year deal this week, after being rewarded for his efforts in the Championship title-winning season.
Ebanks-Blake was the club’s 25-goal top scorer last season and retained the Championship Golden Boot award.
Team-mate Dave Jones knows Ebanks-Blake better than most, having also played in Manchester United’s FA Youth Cup-winning team with him.
He believes the England under-21 international, who has scored 37 goals in 61 games for Wolves, can continue his exploits in the top flight.
Jones said: “His record speaks for itself.
“No one did more for us last season because when the games are tight, you can guarantee he’ll deliver the goods and get us a vital goal.
“We might only have myself, Jody Craddock and Marcus Hahnemann who have played in the Premier League before here, but he’s the sort of player who will make the step up to the next level and help to establish us in the top flight.
“He’s so strong and powerful, he only needs one chance and the ball is in the net.
“He works very hard for the team and now he’s got his rewards.”
Striking team-mate Chris Iwelumo echoed those sentiments.
He said: “Sylvan has kept sticking the ball away – that’s what he’s all about.
“He’ll get goals all day long and if he doesn’t then I’ll be onto him!
“He always looks like scoring and long may it continue.
“Stoke are a big, physical team with a lot of energy, but they’ve got some special players who can score goals out of nothing.
“And we’ve got players such as Sylvan who scores those kind of goals.”
Ebanks-Blake follows Karl Henry and Kevin Foley to secure their long term futures at Molineux this summer.
Michael Kightly, Neill Collins, Carl Ikeme, Andy Keogh, Matt Jarvis and George Elokobi have also pledged their futures in the last 12 months.
Business Awards
Read the full story here
Full coverage of awards celebrating the region's best businesses.
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Express & Star and Shropshire Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
LIVE traffic updates
Road, rail and airport - latest
Our new, live traffic and travel updates service - check before you set out.
OUR NEW APP
Get the new E&S app
Download the Express & Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.