Vokes target after Ruud meeting

New striker Sam Vokes has already rubbed shoulders with Ruud van Nistelrooy this summer – now he's targeting a first team place at Wolves.

The 18-year-old faced Real Madrid striker Van Nistelrooy when Wales met Holland as the Dutch warmed up for Euro 2008 with a 2-0 win.

The meeting whetted the former Bournemouth attacker's appetite for forcing his way through a jam packed forward line with his new club.

Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Andy Keogh, as well as transfer-listed trio Freddy Eastwood, Jay Bothroyd and Stephen Elliott are all still at Molineux.

Vokes said: "To be on the same pitch as Ruud Van Nistelrooy just shows what a massive summer it's been for me and how it's all happened really quickly."

"Now it's a case of making sure I knuckle down here, keep my feet on the floor and hopefully get a chance.

"There are some really good strikers here but competition is good. Everyone knows how hard they've got to work to get in the team, which can only be good.

"It was a great confidence booster to hear the manager saying it was up to me to win a place.

"It's good to know when you join a new club that even though I'm young, if I work hard and do well I've got a chance.

"Wolves are a big club and it's a good step up for me and that's something to thrive on.

"The chance to play in front of 24,000 as the average was last season is an opportunity to relish.

"Going into the Championship is a big step-up for me and a great challenge."