Evans determined to impress at Wolves friendly
Lee Evans is determined to follow the same routine that earned him his Wolves first-team chance as he plots a Championship spot tomorrow.
A year ago the 20-year-old midfielder played in the final pre-season friendly against Real Betis then kept his place for the opening-day 0-0 draw at Preston, going on to play 26 games in his first full season at the club.
Now as Kenny Jackett's side prepare to host Celta Vigo in their last warm-up game at Molineux tomorrow, the Wales Under-21 international is looking for a repeat to nail down his place for the curtain-raiser against Norwich the following week.
"It's a big chance to stake a claim for the Norwich game and I remember last year getting the nod against Real Betis and keeping my place for Preston," he said.
"I had the exact same mindset coming back this year as last year, to try to do what I could to impress and be in the starting line-up on the first day.
"It was about trying to start well and prove myself all over again and hopefully I can get in there.
"That's what I'll be trying to do again if selected tomorrow.
"I'm looking just at the Norwich game at the moment.
"If I can be involved in that it will be a special game for me to play my first one in the Championship."
Evans appears to have edged ahead of Jack Price in the midfield pecking order to play alongside Kevin McDonald and he's looking to cement his place in Jackett's line-up tomorrow.
"I've started a few games and it feels like it's gone well for me and hopefully I can do that again tomorrow against Celta Vigo," he said.
"We've gone up a level now and I'm relishing the chance to try to be involved in the Championship.
"And the bonus is the team I supported as a boy – Leeds United – are in there as well!
"There are so many big games in this league and we know it will be tough but we also have to go in without any fear.
"It's about trying to keep the momentum going from last season and build on it and carry on improving."
Evans is relishing the battle for places and won't be resting on his laurels – especially as he believes Jackett will still add a couple of new faces before the transfer window shuts at the end of the month.
But he also says the settled nature of the squad now has helped produce a positive team spirit.
"Everything has been very settled this pre-season with the lads who were here last year and keeping that team spirit, which got us through a lot of games," he said.
"I'm sure the gaffer will still be trying to add a couple of players to the squad and that will be welcomed by us all.
"It's good to have that competition to keep all of us on our toes and that's what brings out the best of players.
"Tommy Rowe and Rajiv Van La Parra have come into the midfield and we've probably got four or five players battling for the two spots in the middle.
"It's healthy competition, and we push each other every day in training.
"There are different midfield players here including those who are more defensive and then attacking like 'Eddo' (Dave Edwards) who can't stop scoring at the moment.
"Having those different options helps the gaffer and he can change it during games if it's needed."
