Jody Craddock has insisted Wolves have a ‘massive carrot’ at Stoke – after being described as the ‘epitomy’ of professionalism.

The evergreen defender – who returned to the Premier League starting line-up in Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Fulham for the first time in six months – is urging his team-mates to use the Staffordshire derby to climb out of the relegation zone.

A draw tonight will see Mick McCarthy’s side leave the bottom three on goal difference in their game in hand.

Should Wolves earn a point or more, it would be the only the second time they will have been out of the drop zone since January 5.

And Craddock believes they have to put Fulham’s late leveller behind them if they are to be at their best this evening.

He said: “There’s no point going into the Stoke game on a downer in any way. We go again tonight feeling we can get something from this game as well.

“That’s a massive carrot there for us to go for. We try to win every game but we know a positive result gets us out of the bottom three.

“There’s still a very positive atmosphere about the place. There’s no negativity and no nervousness as quite often occurs at clubs in these situations.

“We’re still very confident and believe we can get out of the bottom three and will be doing everything in our power to achieve it.”

Craddock’s last Premier League start was October before he succumbed to his hip and thigh problem.

But McCarthy has paid a rich tribute to the 35-year-old’s professionalism, after describing him as someone playing 10 years younger.

The Wolves boss said: “He’s the epitomy of the player we all want to have in our squads. He’s been an absolute gem.

“Christophe Berra and Richard Stearman have had a great spell and been terrific together.

“But I needed to change it and Craddock comes in at 35 and looks like a 25-year-old. He’s terrific.

“It didn’t surprise me at all, because he works his socks off training and in the gym and has got body fat of six per cent or something.

“He works at it all the time and is ready to go because he’s played in the reserves and has done it properly.

“You get an answer from him such as ‘no problem gaffer’ and he’s ready to go.”

Craddock is just delighted to be back after his long exile in the reserves.

He said: “I hadn’t started a game since West Ham back in October – that’s over six months ago although it doesn’t feel that long because I’ve been back fit again for a while.

“It was nice to be back in and didn’t feel too alien to me. It felt good and now I’ve got another taste of it I want to play some more. I’ve played a few reserve games which does help.

“I’ve also worked hard in training to be ready and available to take a chance when it came along.”

McCarthy described Craddock as his best defender before his injury, but the player has no gripes about being out for so long as Richard Stearman was preferred alongside Christophe Berra.

Craddock said: “I can’t have had any complaints about being out because I thought Christophe and Stears have been fantastic.

“It’s never a problem with me to wait for my chance if people are playing well, but when the opportunity comes it’s about me doing what I can to hang onto my place.”

And although he is relishing the prospect of a real battle against Stoke, Craddock believes the Potters offer plenty of quality, too.

He said: “They’re a big, strong side and we’re going to have to defend well. But they’re also a very good team with a lot of quality and Tony Pulis has done a very good job as manager there.

“They’ve brought in some quality players who can play football, as they showed in the way they beat Bolton in the semi-final.

“It will be tough but it’s one we’re ready for.”