Tomasz Kuszczak fights to be Wolves' No 1
Wolves goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak today insisted he's ready for the challenge to keep his place with Carl Ikeme edging closer to his return.
The former Manchester United and Albion shot-stopper has filled the breach since Ikeme broke his foot in training last month,
The previous first-choice's comeback will be stepped up over the international break, with Wolves arranging a behind-closed-doors game to put him through his paces.
Ikeme might even be ready to rejoin the squad for the trip to Nottingham Forest on Good Friday, which will spark a battle for the jersey between him and Kuszczak.
The Poland international has kept two clean sheets in the last week alone, in victories at Molineux over Sheffield Wednesday and Derby County.
The latter 2-0 victory was the perfect present for his 33rd birthday and the experienced custodian is happy to welcome back his main rival between the sticks.
He said: "Me and Carl have become good friends, but I always tell people somebody needs to be unlucky to make somebody else happy.
"When I came to Wolverhampton, I sat on the bench for two-and-a-half months supporting Carl and I always wish him well. He's a good lad and a fantastic goalkeeper.
"Competition is good for everyone and the club, I want people to be pushing me and keeping me sharp and prepared.
"Clean sheets are nice, but what's most important is that we are winning the games and we've been doing that, particularly at home.
"If the manager picks me, I throw myself into it and try to help the team. If he puts me on the bench, I will support whoever is playing. It's simple like that."
Kuszczak's arrival as a free agent in November brought him out of the football wilderness, after his release from Brighton last summer.
And the veteran believes he's back to his best and good to go for a few campaigns to come, with his Wolves contract running until the end of the season.
He said: "It's a difficult position, there's always something to do and you want to keep the goals out, because you know that will help the team get the result.
"I am happy with myself, I am working hard every day and I try to be ready when I have to make a few good saves. It's my job and has been all of my life.
"I still feel young, even though I have just turned 33, and I feel I can still play and enjoy football for, at least, another couple of years."
Kuszczak or Ikeme between the sticks for Wolves? Steve Madeley asks Phil Parkes, who made over 300 appearances for the club in goal, his views.
Wolves' six-point haul last week followed on from a 1-1 draw at Kuszczak's former club Brighton and left Kenny Jackett's side eighth as they signed off.
Two points separate them from the play-off places as they prepare for an Easter double-header, with Forest and the Monday visit of Leeds.
Kuszczak said: "There are only difficult games left now so we need to be spot on, but we have built up something over the last couple of weeks and you can see the confidence is there.
"We are dealing with the physicality of the Championship very well and we've had many games in a short space of time.
"It's not easy playing three games in six days like we did, but it's gone well for us and we have scored a lot of goals, too.
"We will carry on trying to win games and see where we end up."
