Wolves forward Chris Iwelumo has backed Sylvan Ebanks-Blake to break his duck in the Premier League after a heart-to-heart with his strike partner.

Ebanks-Blake has yet to score in five Premier League games for Wolves this season, although the double Championship Golden Boot winner has only started twice after suffering a hamstring injury in the 2-0 opening day defeat to West Ham.

Iwelumo is hoping to be involved in Saturday’s derby against Villa, after returning from a broken bone in his foot.

And the Scotland international is convinced it is only a matter of time before the 23-year-old scores regularly again, after they shared 41 goals last season.

Iwelumo said: “I don’t think not scoring has affected him at all. We had a good chat and I’ve told him it will come. He has just got to keep doing the right things.

Ebanks-Blake is known for his mental strength within the club and Iwelumo has no doubts the former Plymouth striker will bounce back.

He said: “The character he is, Sylvan knows what he has to do and it won’t hinder him in any way that he hasn’t scored yet. He had a few half chances at Everton, the goalkeeper made a save and one got deflected away.

“I don’t think he or the lads are worried about it.”