Hot-shot Benik Afobe told to stay at Wolves

Striker Benik Afobe has been told to resist the Premier League for now – and give Wolves another season by "smashing it" in the Championship.

Afobe finished the season as the joint top scorer in the country with 32 goals in all competitions, alongside Manchester City's £38million striker Sergio Aguero.

Former Wolves striker Nathan Blake has watched £2million Afobe in action.

And the former Wolves international believes the 22-year-old should give Kenny Jackett's side at least another 12 months to try to help the club return to the Premier League, before making any decision on his future.

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Blake, who was a 2003 play-off final winner with Wolves, said: "If I was Benik I'd be thinking 'I've got 13 goals for Wolves from January to the end of the season.

"If I can smash this Championship by getting another 25-plus next season and getting promotion, then we'll see how the land lies.'

"Then whatever happens, he will be in a win-win situation. And if he stays now and sets himself some targets then I think in a season or two, he'll be ready for the Premier League.

"They will do well to hold on to him for another season but then you look at the loyalty Bakary Sako has shown and that's incredible."

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Blake has become a huge fan of Afobe, who has been selected in Gareth Southgate's initial 27-man England Under-21 squad for the European Under-21 Championships in the Czech Republic next month.

The 43-year-old said: "I love him –I think he's a wicked player who has a bit of everything.

"He's like a cross between Dean Sturridge and Nathan Blake – he's bigger, stronger, more powerful and quicker than 'Deano,' but he scores goals."