Wolves defender Richard Stearman has made a twin pledge to continue improving and help the club to Premier League survival after being rewarded with a new contract.

The 23-year-old, who had 18 months left on his existing four-year deal, has penned new two-and-a-half year terms tying him to the club until 2014.

Stearman believes he has made rapid strides since his move from Leicester in June 2008 but plans to continue his rise after entering a new pay league.

He said: “I aspire to get better. I want to continue playing for Wolves in the Premier League and I’ve got international aspirations as well.

“But the main thing at the moment is making sure we’re still in the Premier League at the end of the season.

“It was in the back of my mind for a while now that my contract was running down and it’s great to have got something agreed.

“Now I can concentrate on my football.”

Stearman feels he has benefitted from his first long run at centre-back in almost two years, since losing his place to current defensive partner Christophe Berra in the Championship title run-in.

The Wolverhampton-born stopper said: “Personally I feel I’ve come on leaps and bounds since I arrived and I thank everyone who’s played a part in that.

“This is the first time I’ve had a sustained run in the Premier League in my natural position of centre-half.

“It’s great to be back in there and I hope I’m rewarding the gaffer for keeping faith in me.

“Personally I’m delighted with the way things have gone in recent weeks, and as a team, I think our form has been good, despite losing to Liverpool.”

Stearman is now targeting another FA Cup win with Sunday’s fourth round tie against Stoke to spark a winning run in the league.

He said: “It’s about getting in a winning habit. We are just looking now to trying to get through to the next round and kick on in the league.

“We haven’t won too many this season so any win is good for confidence. We did well in the last round by winning the replay against Doncaster 5-0, which gives us good confidence going into Stoke.

“We know it’s going to be tough but we want to progress if we can.”