Checkatrade Trophy has been 'perfect' for Wolves

Nicu Carnat struck the winning penalty as Wolves' under-21 side beat their Sunderland counterparts at Molineux on Monday evening.

The game had finished 1-1, with Bright Enobakhare scoring a stunning goal for Wolves, before Sellars' young charges won 4-3 in the shoot-out thanks to two saves from goalkeeper Harry Burgoyne.

Sellars said his team fully deserved their dramatic victory in front of 1,118 fans at Molineux - and that the players were on cloud nine.

"They're slightly excited!" he said. "It was brilliant. I'm delighted for them.

"I've always said I think the tournament has been fantastic for the development side of the club.

"It's a real step up for us and gives us something we don't get in under-23s football.

"From our point of view it's been perfect. It gives us the opportunity to have another game, maybe against a league club or another academy, but it will be in front of a crowd in a stadium, which is great for their development because there's some real talent in there.

"I'd like to think the one thing we've been lacking is a bit of atmosphere and a bit of noise that the players can feel.

"That was there against Sunderland and a bit of atmosphere and pressure with the penalties.

"It's part of helping them learn and hopefully they can knock on Paul Lambert's door and say 'I'm ready to play'."

The youngsters went behind in the shoot-out after Sylvain Deslandes missed Wolves' second spot kick, but held their nerve to score their remaining penalties while Burgoyne kept a couple of Sunderland's out.

"There's a lot of talent in the group but more than anything – and what identifies talent – is their character," Sellars said of the shoot-out triumph.

"They showed in the second half how they just wanted to win the game.

"We said before the penalties that it had been a travesty they'd not won, make sure you go and win it now.

"We didn't score the second penalty but Harry's always likely to make a save, he's a really good shot-stopper and he's won us tournaments before, so I thought we always had a chance.

"I felt that they deserved it.

"We started the game quite well, went a goal ahead and then I think a few nerves showed. We just dropped off the pace a bit and almost tried to protect the lead.

"Sunderland then got back into the game and once they scored I thought they took a bit of control and got in the ascendancy.

"I had a word with them at half time and said we had to be more aggressive and push them forward a bit more, get them higher up the pitch.

"In the second half I thought we totally dominated the game and apart from a goal it was a perfect second half performance."

Young Nigerian striker Bright Enobakhare starred again for Sellars' team.

He scored his third goal in four Checkatrade Trophy games after stepping down from the first team, having been in all three of Paul Lambert's squads so far.

Sellars said of the talented striker: "Bright was at his best. He was a constant thorn in their side. I love watching him play, he excites me as a coach.

"He's really exciting. In the second half quite a few joined him at that. Morgan Gibbs-White, Will Randall, Connor Ronan and Christian Herc really got a grip in midfield and the back four never looked under threat. They all stepped up.

"I think Bright's a talent, we can all see that. If we challenge him in the right way and look after him hopefully he'll be a really good player for Wolves in the future."

The draw for the last 16 takes place on Thursday at 11.30am, with the next round due to be play in the week commencing January 9.

Just three more wins and Wolves will be at Wembley. It's a tantalising prospect for Sellars.

"That's the ultimate outcome," he said. "I'm looking at it as development, as a challenge for the players to handle the pressure they don't normally get.

"Let's see what the next game is.

"If that team play, I've said to them, with their intensity they're a really talented group who can give anybody a game.

"The great thing about the Checkatrade, we're always not quite sure how good they are - can they cope with first team football? Well they played against Crewe and Accrington against senior players and these lads have come through.

"That was why there were so many scouts at Molineux against Sunderland. They're looking at January and saying they'll take him, or him.

"That's great. The manager, the directors, the scouts can look at our players and see they can play first-team football."