Niall Ennis fighting to be fit for Wolves

A promising campaign for the 17-year-old striker was cruelly cut short when he suffered a fractured fibula in January.

Having resumed non-contact training, Ennis now hopes to be back and ready for pre-season and feels the experience of the past few months have made him both a better player and person.

He said: "The injury feels really good now, and I don't need to rush back for anything because we are in the close season now. It's good that I have got to the end of the recovery now.

"It felt a long time when it happened but I have managed to stay strong. I think I have grown as a person and a player, and feel like I will be mentally stronger for the experience.

"I have learned a lot about myself which is a positive to take away from it. It also makes you realise how much you have to be grateful for when you are fit.

"You can't take anything for granted because anything can happen and is a good learning curve."

Ennis' injury came shortly after he had broken into Wolves Under-21s after an impressive first half of the season with the under-18s.

His goal-scoring exploits in the early part of the campaign also helped England Under-17s qualify for the European Championships, a tournament the injury ultimately forced him to miss.

Not that Ennis is dwelling on the disappointment, continuing: "You can't keep things that you have missed out on.

"You have to think about what is to come in your career, otherwise you just keep thinking about the past all the time.

"If I do well here at Wolves then maybe there is always next year and the other England age groups to try and get involved with."

Ennis, first spotted by the club after attending an event organised by Wolves Community Trust, has attracted plenty of attention from supporters, thanks to his performances with the youth teams.

But he accepts there is still plenty of work to do before he makes a senior breakthrough at Molineux.

He said: "I think I will probably go into the under-21s when I come back and it is up to me to do well and improve my game.

"I am still young, I don't have to rush anything, and while everyone wants to play in the first team one day I am happy to be with the 21s and doing my best.

"Whatever age group I play, I want to do well and score as many goals as I can. I am a fan of football, so when I see young players pushing it's good to see them getting a chance.

"It is nice to think that there are fans out there who want to see me get an opportunity. And, one day, I want to prove that I can do it, and follow the other players who have gone through at Wolves.

"I know that a lot of players have been in the same position as me at this age. And it is the ones who stay grounded and focused who are the ones that take it on and get further in their career.

"I have a professional contract now and it is time to step on again. I always have targets I set myself every season which I will keep to myself.

"Every time I hit a target I will make a new one, I am never satisfied."