Wolves Carl Ikeme 'one of the best'

Wolves number one Carl Ikeme was today told he is one of the best keepers in the country and can help the club back to the Premier League.

Ikeme pulled off five superb saves to deny Leyton Orient in yesterday's flattering 3-1 win at the Matchroom Stadium on a day when Wolves clinched the League One title after Brentford could only draw 2-2 at MK Dons.

And midfielder Dave Edwards said: "Carl has been brilliant all season – I really don't think there are many better keepers in England.

"That might sound a bit much but I've played with Joe Hart and Wayne Hennessey and Carl is up there with them.

"He really has got everything, he's so commanding and such a good shotstopper and his distribution is good too.

"Wolves are very lucky to have him and I really think he could be a top England keeper one day or for Nigeria, whichever he decides.

"At 27 he's nowhere near his peak and hopefully he'll be at Wolves for a long time and achieve that all with this club."

Ikeme has just a year to run on his contract and Edwards urged Wolves to do all they can to keep him.

"The club is lucky to have a goalkeeper of his standing and they should do their utmost to keep him for as long as possible because he really is a top, top keeper," he said.

"He's very level-headed and very professional – he works extremely hard off the pitch.

"He's always in the gym, he's always doing extra work and he's always watching DVDs of himself to see where he can improve, so he's very meticulous.

"I think he's been a bit unlucky in the past with injuries and missed a few games but he's got virtually a full season with 40 games plus this time which is great for him."

Edwards believes Ikeme can help Wolves return to the Premier League.

"There's no reason why he can't be here for the next 10 years and be at the top of his game," he said.

"Hopefully it will be at Wolves and he can go all the way with this club back to the Premier League because I'm sure there will be so many clubs after him."

Head coach Kenny Jackett said: "My goalkeeper was man of the match which told its own story.

"It was a tremendous performance and he proved what he is – a top-class goalkeeper."

Fellow keeper Aaron McCarey said: "Carl made a couple of world class saves."