Ince set the standard for skipper
Jody Craddock has revealed Milton Keynes Dons manager Paul Ince provided the inspirational example he has tried to follow as Wolves captain.
As the only outfield player still at the club who played with the former England international at Molineux, tonight's friendly at Stadium MK is extra special for Craddock.
Recently re-installed as boss of the League One club, Ince was the man Craddock took over the armband from at Molineux.
The former Manchester United No 8 was arguably Wolves' most influential captain since Mike Bailey, leading the club to promotion to the Premier League for the first time in 2003 - his first season at the club - before waging a tireless battle to keep Wolves up in 2003/04.
By that time, Craddock had joined up and he saw at first hand what an inspiration Ince was to those around him.
The centre-half said: "Paul was a quality player and inspirational around the club. With what he had achieved in his career, it was a pleasure to play alongside him.
"I took over as captain after Paul left. He was a bit louder than I am on the pitch but he led by example, which is what I hope I do now."
Ince locks horns as a manager against Wolves for the second successive season, having been in charge of Blackburn who were beaten 4-1 in a friendly at Molineux last August.
His time at Ewood Park was a short one, but Craddock is convinced his old team-mate can repeat his success at MK Dons, who he led to promotion to League One at the first attempt in 2007/08.
The Wolves captain said: "He did an excellent job at Milton Keynes before he went to Blackburn and I'm sure he will do again now he's back."
Tonight's game promises to be something of a reunion in the dugout, with Ince having fellow former gold and black midfield warrior Alex Rae on his backroom staff.
Rae and Wolves boss Mick McCarthy are long-term friends from their time at Millwall, while the manager pipped Ince to the Molineux hotseat three years ago.
Craddock is focusing firmly on events on the pitch, after Wolves suffered back-to-back pre-season defeats against Port Vale and Bristol City.
He added: "These matches are about our fitness and getting the new lads settled in."