Wolves captain Karl Henry has revealed his ideal birthday present – to emulate his former club Stoke and ensure Premier League survival with his current employers.

The skipper, a key figure this season, turned 27 today and has adapted better than most to the Premier League and seasoned observers will agree the former England Under-21 international has been the club’s most consistent player this season – and arguably ever since since his bargain £100,000 move to Molineux.

But Henry is prepared to wait for what would be his best birthday present – Premier League survival.

He said: “It will be a massive season for us if we can stay in this league. I feel the club will really kick on next season and go from strength to strength.”

But it’s the gritty business of winning points that Wolves need right now to help Henry and his team-mates achieve their aim.

He said: “I don’t think you can underestimate how important the points are. We have to go, work hard and play well for them. We’ve talked about the penalty decisions we haven’t had, we’re hoping they will even themselves out when we get a slice of luck.

“We got one at Stoke but for it to even itself out we need another four or five of those.”

McCarthy insists Wolves can’t consider themselves a Premier League club yet.

But Henry believes the players have acquitted themselves well.

He said: “I think there’s a bit of both in it. I think we’ve taken to this league and not looked out of place. I understand what the gaffer is saying.

“We have to prove we can stay in this league and build on that next season like Stoke.”