Jordan Graham hopes to be back for Aston Villa

For Jordan Graham, there was one fixture which stood out more than most as the schedule for the upcoming season was announced.

The 21-year-old winger, who is still recovering from a serious knee injury, has made no secret of his desire to play against Villa, his former employers, and score in front of the Holte End.

And with Wolves set to visit Villa Park on October 15, for the first-ever fixture between the two rivals outside the top flight, there is at least half a chance he will be involved.

Graham hopes to be back in action at around that time and while there is no question of him taking any undue risks in the final stages of his rehabilitation from a torn cruciate ligament, it's a date he certainly has his eye on.

"I had said that I was hoping the trip to Villa would come when I was back for obvious reasons as I would love to go back and play there," he said. "And hopefully it has given me half a chance.

"I spoke to Jazz (physio Jazz Sodhi) as soon as I saw the date to see what he thought. He said it was one of those situations where you don't necessarily want to put a time frame on an injury like this because if you pick that game and don't make it you will end up disappointed.

"I know what I need to do and I am going to work as hard as I possibly can and do everything right like I have been doing.

"And if it is meant to be then it is meant to be. At the moment and with any long-term injury you do take every game as it comes."

Graham spent 11 years with Villa before joining Wolves 18 months ago. He bears no grudge against his former club – only praise – yet there is a desire to show he was given up on too soon.

"Obviously the Villa game has a special meaning for me personally but it is also only one game, only one league game," he said.

"If I'm not available by then and I don't play then there is always the home game to try and get involved in.

"Obviously I would love to be involved and I will carry on working hard to try and make it but none of us would take any risks if it meant I might end up out again afterwards."

With Wolves first-team squad set to return for pre-season training next week, Graham hopes to be back by September, though he accepts the need to remain patient.

"I am feeling more free now and hopefully within the next week or two I am going to be out running," he said.

"Getting the boots back on and getting outside will be a big step especially with the boys being back next week and going into pre-season training.

"Every couple of months you take a big step and this will be another one when we can get outside.

"Once that happens I will start to feel I am on the home straight.

He went on: "In a way, the fixture list hasn't been too kind to me as we are going to a lot of the big teams in the early part of the season.

"But that is one of those things – when I can get back I will just be delighted and excited to try and get out on that pitch. Whether it's one of the new teams like Burton, or Newcastle or Villa, I just can't wait to be back."