Fully fit Hill wants in from the cold

Forgotten man Matt Hill has vowed to show Wolves fans he's no crock as he bids to return to first team action.

The 27-year-old hasn't played for the club after suffering a medial knee ligament injury in training soon after his deadline move from Preston.

Now the former Bristol City left-back is fully fit and eager to return, along with fellow long-term casualty Jody Craddock.

Hill said: "I trained all of last week and this week with the first team and got through that well. I'm hopeful I can get a reserve game and I think we play Birmingham next week.

"I think the only time fans will have seen me is when I've played against Wolves. I want to play, but you have to wait and be patient. You support the lads who are playing, and I'm just glad to be training."

"I'm doing extra work after training. Hopefully after that, fingers crossed I can be knocking on the door. The knee's been good – you get your little aches and pains, but it's been nothing to stop me from training."

Stephen Ward has made the left-back slot his own after George Elokobi's injury and Hill accepts he has a big job on his hands to dislodge the Dubliner.

He said: "Wardy's been excellent and long may that continue for him. I want to push for my place, but there's competition everywhere now – Michael Mancienne has come in and there are plenty of defenders to go around.

"The gaffer loves the competition – that's what every manager wants. I'm another one to add to the list."

Matt Jarvis is also on target for a pre-Christmas return, after tearing his hamstring against Reading on September 30.