Ex-Wolves bosses offer support for Carl Ikeme

Wolves and the football community are still coming to terms with the devastating news that Ikeme has contracted acute leukaemia and will undergo chemotherapy treatment.

The club put all announcements on hold on Friday, including transfers, and are offering Ikeme all the support he needs as he begins his lengthy battle.

Paul Lambert and Walter Zenga both managed Ikeme last season and the pair told the Express & Star that if anyone could win this fight, it was Ikeme.

Lambert is a close friend of ex-Villa player Stiliyan Petrov who was forced to retire from the game after contracting leukaemia.

The Scot said Wolves would take good care of their popular goalkeeper.

"Thankfully Stan pulled through and hopefully, God willing, Carl will too," Lambert said.

"I'm absolutely devastated by the news, I can't get my head around it.

"Carl Ikeme is an absolute gentleman and I loved working with him.

"There have been certain guys in my career that it was special to work with, people like Grant Holt and Wes Hoolahan at Norwich and Carl was up there with them - he was brilliant to manage.

"He's a diamond of a guy, a great pro, super fit and a gentle giant.

"That's the mark of him - you look at him and think you wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of him, but when you speak to him he's softly spoken and has got brilliant manners.

"He's a credit to the game, a top professional and I'm devastated to hear this.

"But the club, the supporters, they're all great people and he'll get all the support he needs.

"You need that strength and love. And the medical staff, people like Doc Perry and Phil Hayward, they're fantastic people who will help him.

"You feel for his poor family, for everybody. I can't believe it. But God willing he'll will this fight and get through this."

Zenga managed Wolves for a brief spell at the start of last season and, like Lambert, called on him as his number one goalkeeper.

The Italian said: "I am shocked about this news.

"I am sure that Carl is going to win this game because all the Wolves family are with him. Stay strong Carl."