George Friend has a point to prove to Wolves

Defender George Friend admits he has "regrets" about his time at Wolves as he prepares to return to Molineux as a Middlesbrough player tonight.

The 27-year-old moved to Molineux from Exeter City as a youngster and says he was 'in awe' of Wolves, meaning he never fully adapted to life at the club.

And Friend, who is established as a key player for in-form Boro, will celebrate if he scores against his former employers in tonight's Championship clash.

He said: "It was my first move, it was a really big move for me. I was a little farmer from Devon going off to the Midlands, I didn't really know who Wolves were.

"To be completely honest, I didn't know many football teams outside the South-West, so I didn't come from a footballing background.

"I got to Wolves and I was like in awe of the stadium and the place. I never really got a regular game, I think I played eight games in total while I was there including cup games.

"It was a great experience and it was under Mick McCarthy, who is a great manager and good character and he toughened me up.

"It was a good place to be. I have some regrets, I wish I'd grown up a bit more quickly and played more.

"I would like to go back there and prove I could have played 100 games for them like I'm doing, at the moment, for Middlesbrough, I'd like to go back and prove myself.

"It would be nice to get a good win over them and I think they are doing better that many people thought they would this season.

"They are a strong side and it's a big club, they got 30,000 in League One. So they've got a big following and it's a huge football area, perhaps not as the North-east.

"I've said it before and I'll say it again, the North East is the most passionate area I've every been in but the West Midlands, the Black Country is not far off, they're pretty football mad as well.

"It's a good club but if I score I won't not celebrate, I'll be sprinting around celebrating!"