Rejuvenated Wolves striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake feels sharper than ever after putting last season behind him.

The double Championship Golden Boot winner endured a difficult debut campaign in the Premier League, scoring just twice in 23 games after a hamstring injury.

But the 24-year-old has returned to pre-season looking in top form and ready to challenge club-record signing Steven Fletcher and last season’s nine-goal top scorer Kevin Doyle.

After going close in the opening warm-up game against Bohemians, Ebanks-Blake scored a cracker in Tuesday’s 4-0 friendly win against Walsall and is looking to continue his form in readiness for the big opener against Stoke on August 14.

He said: “We all want to play so we all work hard and score as many goals as we can to try to be in the team for the first game of the season.

“I’ve worked hard this summer and I feel good. Pre-season has been hard with Tony Daley and I’m just looking to being as fit and as ready as I can. It’s important to move on from last season.

“I just want to work hard and turn things around for me personally and be in the team.

“It’s been a good opening two games for us. Everyone is looking sharper and fitter and everyone is looking forward to another year in the top flight.”

Ebanks-Blake believes Wolves face a tougher battle to stay up this time as they try to avoid the dreaded ‘second season syndrome’ but insists there won’t be any complacency around Molineux.

He said: “This year is going to be harder than last. The second season always appears to be and I don’t know why.

“Perhaps teams take their foot off the gas a little bit and maybe see themselves as an established Premier League side. But that won’t be happening with us.

“We’ll be working as hard as ever, because that’s what the manager demands and hopefully we’ll be able to consolidate again.”

The former Manchester United reserve believes home-grown graduates such as Danny Batth and Scott Malone are keeping the established players on their toes.

Ebanks-Blake added: “We have some good young players here and they’re good ladsl. They fit in well and have trained with us and done pre-season with us.

“It’s good for the club, good for everyone associated with the club and also for the first team players.”