Express & Star

Ryan Bennett says Wolves are ready for Armenia trip

Ryan Bennett has hailed Wolves’ professionalism as said the players have no qualms over a long trip to Armenia.

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Nuno Espirito Santo's team make the 6,000-mile round trip to the capital Yerevan to take on Pyunik in tomorrow's Europa League third qualifying round first leg.

They then face Leicester City at the King Power on Sunday as their Premier League campaign kicks off.

But Bennett, who declared the squad fully fit and ready for the new league campaign, says work behind the scenes means they'll be prepared for anything.

"The schedule is a bit different, the game in Armenia will be different, it’s a longer flight, we have a big game on the Sunday so it’ll be interesting to deal with that," he said.

"I've never come across (Armenia) but we've had people go out there and recce it, we’ll know everything about it.

"We trust them and we look forward to going out there.

"Behind the scenes there are things going on every day that people don’t see, we had staff fly out to Czech Republic (in case Wolves played Jablonec) and Armenia to check both places out.

"That professionalism helps us on the pitch.

"Everyone is ready. We’re a close-knit squad, it’s one big family and everyone will be helping each other."

Wolves only played two friendlies at the start of the summer, facing Manchester City and Newcastle in the Asia Trophy.

Bennett believes the two competitive games against Crusaders have stood them in good stead for the coming weeks.

"Everyone is in good shape," he added. "We've had vigorous programmes over the summer – some of the boys have had different competitions so it’s been tailor made and individualised for each person.

"This day and age you can’t get away with coming back in poor shape.

"You need to hit the ground running and the professionalism here is unbelievable.

"You look at the games in China, Newcastle and Man City, they were top level games.

"You playing against Crusaders, a bit more physical, it was a battle there, a hostile atmosphere and a tight pitch.

"It’s good preparation. It’s not every day you’re going to find it, but there will be times this season when teams sit in so in that respect they were been good games to face them."