Video: Wolves primed for an opening test

They were tanked 5-1 in 2003 as a long-awaited return to the top flight turned sour.

But four years ago, again in the Premier League, goals from Steven Fletcher and Stephen Ward earned Mick McCarthy's side a 2-1 in what was very much not a sign of what was to come that season.

This time around, confidence in the Wolves camp is high after a good end to pre-season which has seen them come to the boil at the right time.

A stirring and dramatic draw against Aston Villa was followed by a 4-3 win at Doncaster last Saturday when Wolves played some of their best football of recent weeks.

And the loan signings of Adam Le Fondre and Sheyi Ojo from Cardiff City and Liverpool respectively have bolstered numbers at just the right time.

Both will be expected to play some part at Ewood Park, while midfielder Conor Coady is also in line for a debut in midfield.

Most of Kenny Jackett's team picks itself, with a back four of Dominic Iorfa, Richard Stearman, Kortney Hause and Scott Golbourne and a front line of Nouha Dicko and Benik Afobe.

In midfield things aren't quite so clear and the XI Jackett plumps for will give a good indication of the head coach's mentality.

The experienced and perhaps safer options of David Edwards – match-winner at Blackburn last season – or Tommy Rowe contrast with the wildcard choice of 18-year-old Ojo, said to be quick, direct and powerful.

Whether he sticks or twists, Jackett is certainly happy with the squad assembled, which is still short of injury victims Danny Batth and Jed Wallace.

"It's about making sure we play with quality, enthusiasm and focus," he said. "There'll be a real passionate crowd now – it seems people are okay with pre-season and how it's panning out.

"I'm looking forward to getting into the real games and seeing our side at our level."

Wolves did the double over Blackburn last season, but

Jackett is expecting a tough test for his team's long-awaited opening fixture, where they'll be backed by more than 3,000 travelling fans.

"Any Championship game is difficult," Jackett said. "It seems like Jordan Rhodes is still a Blackburn player and Gestede's got a very good move into the Premier League with Aston Villa.

"They've got a lot of dangerous players, Craig Conway, Ben Marshall, and they've got Nathan Delfouneso and then Nicky Maynard on trial there, plus Koita from Caen and Petshi.

"They're a dangerous side and we'll pay them all of the respect that any Championship side deserves.

Rovers boss Gary Bowyer praised Wolves ahead of the game.

"They are a good side with a good squad with a very good manager," he said. "I like listening to Kenny and we know his team is going to be very difficult on Saturday.

"The front two are very lively and they for me will be up there challenging.

"But the aim is to beat them. The whole point of the work we've been doing is geared up to that.

"We know it's going to be a challenge for us and with the momentum that they had last season."