Wolves academy stars past and present collide on opposite sides at Bolton on New Year’s Eve.

And, for Anthony Forde, it’s about trying to provide a golden future, certainly for the gold and black Wanderers.

Forde confirmed his growing reputation as the club’s most talented academy prospect to emerge since Mark Davies, who Wolves sold to tomorrow’s opponents Bolton in January 2009, with his full debut in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at Arsenal.

The pair are part of a select group of players to have emerged through the Wolves ranks and play in the Premier League with Robbie Keane, Matt Murray, Joleon Lescott and Wayne Hennessey.

Only Murray and Hennessey have done it with Wolves, leaving Forde as the club’s sole outfield representative. Many thought the highly-acclaimed Zeli Ismail would be the next ‘cab off the rank.’

But with Ismail learning his trade in the reserves and academy after long spells out injured, quietly-spoken Irishman Forde, who hails from Balingarry in County Limerick, has made the breakthrough.

Not surprisingly then, the 18-year-old midfielder thought his call-up to play at the Emirates Stadium was the best Christmas present ever.

He said: “It was quite a shock that I played and it’s hit me now. And if I think about it, it’s amazing. It’s definitely the best Christmas present I’ll ever have – by far.

“It was brilliant to get on against Chelsea a few weeks ago but to start against Arsenal was just amazing.

“The gaffer told me in training just before Christmas Day. I was over the moon, shocked and delighted and my heart stopped beating!

“But it was brilliant to hear him saying I was in the team.”

It says much about Forde’s composure that when his big chance came, he didn’t waste it and didn’t lose the ball once.

He said: “I was a bit nervous before the game but when I got on the pitch, I just focused on the match and made sure I was doing my job properly.

“I love it – it’s a step up. It’s a quicker tempo and you’re playing with better players, so you have to be on the button all the time.

“The gaffer just said ‘go and do your best’ and that’s what I tried to do. Everyone was brilliant to me – they were top class.

“Matt Jarvis is a good help but so too have been Ronald Zubar, Stephen Hunt, Karl Henry and Stephen Ward, who have all been giving me advice.

“But I could name them all, they’ve all been so helpful.”

Despite the short notice of McCarthy’s decision, Forde’s family were still able to share his full debut.

He said: “All my family came over – my parents Noel and Christina and brother and sister Kevin and Leanne, and my aunt and uncle as well, so it was brilliant they got to see my full debut.

“Hopefully, I’ll get more chances and keep working hard for the team. Getting results like Tuesday will help.

“I just want to keep being involved with the first team, just work hard and try to keep achieving.”

Forde’s achievement is testament to the work of Wolves’ academy and he believes others can follow.

He said: “I have just got to keep doing what I’m doing and, hopefully, the academy lads keep working hard and they will get their chance.”

Nenad Milijas’ failed appeal on his red card on Tuesday means he starts a three-match ban tomorrow.

And, with Jamie O’Hara out for up to a month, it increases Forde’s chances of figuring at the Reebok Stadium.

He said: “I haven’t heard if I’m involved in the Bolton game yet, but I would love to be. It’s a real survival clash so everyone has to be up for the game.

“We were back to training yesterday and we’re focused on that now. Arsenal away is a hard place to go so everyone is buzzing.”