Sam Ricketts targets promotion with Wolves

Wolves captain Sam Ricketts today told fans to expect a Championship battle but believes promotion is a real target.

Wolves kick off in 20 days' time hoping to use the momentum that saw them win 17 out of their last 21 games in League One to propel them to another promotion push under Kenny Jackett.

But, while convinced Wolves can be among the frontrunners, Ricketts expects it to be a tougher ride in the coming season than last term.

"Promotion was the goal last year and it's the same again this year,"said the skipper.

"It's a big ask but that's where our thoughts are and this is a big opportunity for a young side.

"Clearly I hope I'm wrong, but getting back into the Championship, it's unlikely we're going to go on such a long unbeaten run or winning streak.

"If you could do that in the Championship you could run away with the league. You have to be realistic and think we'll probably lose more games than last year.

"It's such a tight league – Reading got promoted one year having been bottom in October-November time.

"It's about broadening our horizons and realising if we lose a couple of games, we shouldn't get too down, and equally if we win two or three, we haven't 'made it'."

Ricketts insists Wolves will continue to play stylish football in what is considered to be a more physically unforgiving league.

"We want to play football and we want to make it exciting to watch," he said. "It's not going to be as easy for us to control games."

Meanwhile, Wolves have been linked with out-of-favour Hull City striker Nick Proschwitz.

he 27-year-old, who cost £2.6m in July 2012 and has a year left on his contract, has slipped down the pecking order at the KC Stadium behind Shane Long, Nikica Jelavic and Yannick Sagbo and would be free.