Ebanks-Blake backed to net 20 goals

Sylvan Ebanks-Blake was today backed to score 20 goals again this season to fire Wolves into the Championship promotion race.

Injuries, the presence of Steven Fletcher and Kevin Doyle and former manager Mick McCarthy’s reliance on playing one up front all contributed to the 26-year-old striker finding goals hard to come by in the Premier League.

The former Manchester United reserve scored a modest 10 in 76 games in the three seasons in the top flight.

By contrast he has notched an impressive 48 in 86 games in his last two campaigns in the Championship, which was enough for him to win the Golden Boot on both occasions.

With Fletcher out of action and looking closer to a move to Sunderland, Ebanks-Blake has tasted regular football again this summer and has shown signs that he is back among the goals.

He scored against Shrewsbury, missed a sitter at Southampton and got on the scoresheet again in the Capital One tie against Aldershot last week.

That was his 50th goal for Wolves and enabled him to join a select band of 30 other players to have netted a half-century in gold and black.

Keeper Carl Ikeme, who is set to play ahead of wantaway Dorus De Vries at Elland Road tomorrow, believes Ebanks-Blake is ready to add another 20-goal haul to his tally this season.

“We saw last Saturday that he’s deadly in the box. I think we all believe that he’s got 20-plus goals in him for us,” said Ikeme.

“I think he just needs to be playing, because it’s been a bit stop-start for him over the last few years.

“In front of goal, he’s the best finisher I’ve come across.

“He’ll be fine. I’ve got no doubts about him whatsoever and he showed that on Saturday, when he was arguably our best player.

“He looked hungry, but he’d be the same if he was playing a five-a-side. He always wants to score and he’s very selfish in that way.

“He’s very hard on himself as well, but I know he believes in himself which is the main thing.”

Ikeme reckons Wolves have enough firepower in their ranks to help Ebanks-Blake share the load in front of goal – even if Fletcher gets his expected move.

“We’ve got Kevin Doyle, who is another player with an impressive scoring record at Championship level,” said the keeper.

“I think Frank Nouble will really surprise a few people, while we haven’t seen a lot of Bjorn Sigurdarson, but from what we’ve seen, he looks a really good player.

“He looks to be a strong player, similar to Doyle.

“So we’ve got goals in us, but we just need to concentrate on winning and I’m sure we’ll be OK.”

Wolves go to Leeds tomorrow lunchtime in a state of unrest with Fletcher, Matt Jarvis, Christophe Berra and De Vries seeking moves.

Players are also trying to adapt to a modified style of play under new boss Stale Solbakken and Ikeme believes fans need to give the team time.

“I hope they can be patient because we’re going through a difficult period with players coming and going,” he said.

“I hope the supporters stand by us; I know they get frustrated, but so do we because we want to do well for the fans and the club.

“I think we’re grasping what’s required but it’s just a question of putting it into practice.

“I think when it comes to tomorrow, we’ll be at it.”