Crocked Wolves striker Chris Iwelumo has undergone successful surgery on his broken foot – and spoken of his devastation at missing the start of the Premier League campaign.

The Scottish international suffered a broken metatarsal during the first pre-season friendly in Australia, having only just fought his way back to fitness from the medial knee ligament injury picked up at the end of last season.

He’s been ruled out for three months and says: “I was devastated. You work so hard to get yourself right and everyone had come back in fantastic shape and I got injured in the first few minutes of the first game.

“I was feeling good and enjoying training and was looking forward to the season. It is difficult to take, but it’s part and parcel of football. I’ll just have to get on with it.

“If ever anyone needed any inspiration, then you only have to look at how George Elokobi came back from a much more serious injury last season.

“His attitude was spot on and he never complained and that is always the best way to be when you’re coming back from injury.”

Steve Kemp, head of Wolves’ medical department, reported that the surgeon was pleased with the operation, despite an unexpected problem.

He said: “There was a slight complication, because Chris already had a screw in his metatarsal from a previous injury. This had to be removed and a new one inserted.

“But the operation was a complete success. Chris will be on crutches for two weeks and after that will be able to continue with his rehabilitation.”

Iwelumo is already itching to start his rehab and refusing to abandon the positive vibes running through the Molineux camp.

He added: “We’ve made some great signings of not only good players, but also good lads who have really settled in with the rest of the squad.

“Everyone is already looking fitter than we were last year, which was already a pretty high standard to reach.”