Jarvis happy to go extra yard

The winger returns to action against Nottingham Forest believing the extra yardage agreed by owner and manager is carrying even more benefits, for a team carried forward by a double flank threat.

Morgan was surprised that Wolves' pitch did not conform to international standards. McCarthy, confident his young side would have the legs of any Championship rivals, was happy to stretch the length of the pitch.

Jarvis, fresh from his superb performance at Ipswich after resting a sore heel while his team mates tackled Rotherham in the Carling Cup, has noticed the difference.

He said: "I noticed it pre-season. We came into the ground for something during pre-season and I saw there were no lines on the pitch.

"I asked the groundsman what was happening and he said they were making the pitch bigger.

"Initially I was shocked because I thought it was big enough already, particularly when we're trying to track back!

"But when he said it was longer rather than wider that was a bit better. It may be difficult to notice the difference but it plays a little part.

"In my case I can maybe just knock the ball a little bit further, trying to take advantage of my pace.

"It should help the wingers. If the home games we've had so far are any example, we have certainly played some good attacking football."

Wolves fans will be hoping that drab performance in Sheffield is a reminder of the way things were and not how they will be this season.

With seven points from nine and the goals flying in, an air of excitement is back around Molineux.

The 22-year-old will carry the threat down one flank, while Michael Kightly will be intent on doubling the peril from the other.

Jarvis reckons the problem for the opposition is knowing when and where the danger is going to come from.

He said: "It's great to have both of us involved because it makes it harder for teams to double up. We can swap wings as well which always makes it hard for defences.

"It's a fluent system whereby we can both move around and I think it works well. Ipswich was a really great game to be involved in.

"At the final whistle everyone was just buzzing apart, of course, from George's injury. There could have been a few more goals as well.

"It would have been nice if my shot in the last minute had gone inside the post rather than hitting it but you can't have everything!

"I was certainly pleased enough to get two assists. That performance set the standard for me.

"I feel fully fit now having had a good pre-season and that's the sort of performance I want to be producing.

"I've managed to take that fitness base into the games and just want to keep playing the way I've been playing.

"Obviously I had an injury last pre-season but this time I came through and feel much stronger and fitter."

Forest boss Colin Calderwood watched Wolves' 'shadow' squad struggle at the Don Valley Stadium on Tuesday.

Jarvis was more impressed with Forest's efforts, which took Sunderland to extra time before a 2-1 defeat the following night.

He said: "They looked a good side who have started quite well so we know it will be a tough game."

Unlike Wolves, Forest kept to their strongest available team against Sunderland and will be further strengthened by having Kelvin Wilson (back) and Lee Martin (calf) both fit again.