It's been a rough ride at Wolves for Jed Wallace

A pre-season injury – the first of his career – left him playing catch-up at a new club.

Sporadic appearances followed, before a revitalising loan at Millwall set him up for an end-of-season flourish in Kenny Jackett's team.

He gave his best performance in a Wolves shirt on his comeback game at Burnley, only for a thigh strain to rule him out for up to six weeks.

It's enough to have Wallace tearing his hair out. However the philosophical 22-year-old is looking at the bigger picture. And in particular at next season.

Wallace told the Express & Star: "It's been a slower start than I'd hoped for, but I've learned a lot this season. Being at a big club like this, you learn a lot."

One thing Wallace has learned is about the physical nature of the Championship.

It's something Jackett has repeatedly affirmed – the need to be powerful and strong, particularly in the attacking positions.

And Wallace, who has bulked up almost a stone since last summer, has heeded that advice.

He added: "I spoke to the manager a lot about the physical side of my game, before I went out on loan.

"I've always been skinny, it's just the way I've been. In the lower divisions, my running has allowed me to get away from people.

"The higher you go, the better an athlete everyone is.

If I can give myself an extra five, six, seven, eight per cent on what I already was from a few hours in the gym, that's something I was more than happy to do.

"If you're looking at the big players in the league that are doing well in the wide positions, the likes of Albert Adomah at Middlesbrough, or Bakary Sako here last year, I've got to emulate those people.

"The difference in power is what you notice. You look at Burnley's front two, Sam Vokes and Andre Gray, you put them on a rugby pitch they're not going to look out of place. And these boys can move as well, they're quick."

Wallace is keen to show the Wolves fans what he can do, with player and head coach now in sync over what is his best position – right midfield.

Accruing confidence from that Millwall spell has clearly made a big difference in his outlook.

He said: "It's probably the first time in my career I've struggled with my confidence. The injury (in pre-season) knocked me for six, to be honest.

"I'd had three years of riding high, came here, started pre-season well and then all of a sudden I'm three months behind, at a new club as well. It's difficult.

"I kind of lost sight of what I'm really about as a player. I went out to Millwall, reminded myself how good I can be, came back and showed on Saturday what I'm about.

"My running, my threat in behind, my deliveries, that's how I like to play. I always was a right winger. Of 140 games for Portsmouth, I probably played 110 right midfielder and 30 as a number 10.

"I think I can play 10, but I've always contributed goals and assists from right midfield. I'm someone that runs until I can't run no more so fans normally appreciate that."

Has Jackett given Wallace a message about his long-term future at Wolves?

Wallace added: "I think he gave me that message when he signed me and gave me a three-year contract.

"I'm looking forward to next season, I want to be someone that's playing every week and making a big impact.

"The next step in my progression is to get in the team here every week and make an impact."