Ward will always be grateful to Mick

So far, it's turned out that way. But for one player, that hot, sunny day was not only a glimpse of a potentially glorious season, it was a career-turning moment.

The Forest game was the first time Stephen Ward started at left-back in a competitive game for Wolves.

But from that day on, the likeable Dubliner has seen himself as a career full-back.

George Elokobi's season-ending injury had left boss Mick McCarthy with an early dilemma and, with the signings of Matt Hill and George Friend still not complete, he boldly gambled on Ward, hitherto a striker or left winger.

McCarthy had first been alerted to Ward's adaptability when he appeared at left-back in a cameo, when Wolves were reduced to nine men in a 1-0 win at Norwich in January 2007.

The left-sided player said: "I'd had that little taste against Norwich but it all started in the Forest game and hopefully it's a big turning point of my career.

"I reckon it could be the making of my career because I really do look at myself as a left-back now, so I'll always be grateful to the gaffer for that."

Ward is unlikely to line-up in his favourite position at Forest, with Hill in such good form after replacing the former Bohemians player when he had a knee injury.

But he is determined to remain a full-back after enjoying such good form there all season.

He said: "I want to be in the team but Hilly (Matt Hill) is doing a great job. I know in the last couple of games, the gaffer has asked me to play left midfield, but when people ask me what position I play, I'm happy to play left-back."

"A bad day at the office" saw Ward hauled off at half-time of last Saturday's 2-1 win over Charlton.

But Ward is philosophical and is nothing but a team player.

He said: "I'm not a Michael Kightly and maybe I just didn't suit the type of game – it was quite scrappy and when you're not getting on the ball, you get frustrated.

"I felt I was doing OK, but the game just wasn't running for me and the gaffer said he felt he needed to bring on Kyel Reid to change it at half-time.

"I have no qualms with that because we're all in it to get this club promoted and whatever decisions the gaffer makes are taken with that view. If I get another chance, I'll take it."

Rewind to August and the likeable 23-year-old, who had only really played as a striker or left winger up to that point, admits he was as surprised as anyone with the switch – and nervous at the outcome.

Ward said: "I read in the paper beforehand the gaffer said there was going to be a surprise, but I never really thought of it until he mentioned it to me – then I saw what the surprise was!

"I felt apprehensive, playing in front of 25,000 people in a new position. I was sitting at home on the Friday night trying to get my head around the fact my job was to stop crosses and defend and tuck in around defenders – it's amazing the amount of things you have to adjust in your own mindset.

"But after I made the first couple of tackles, the crowd responded and that gave me a massive lift and myself and Jarvo (Matt Jarvis) did well together and to be 4-0 up at half-time was an absolute dream."

A two-week international break gave Ward and the staff to work on his new position.

He said: "There was a two-week break afterwards because of the internationals which gave us chance to work on things.

"The gaffer spoke to me regarding where I needed to be (on the pitch). Being an ex-centre-half himself, the gaffer was brilliant with me, but so was TC (assistant boss Terry Connor) in terms of telling me where I should be, and they pointed things out on the DVD."

Ward admits the change in position gave him a new lease of life, given the logjam of quality forwards already at Molineux.

He said: "I'm glad the gaffer gave me that chance in the Forest game, especially because there are a lot of good strikers at this club.

"Up front, my game was about dropping into the hole and everything was with my back to goal.

"Now I'm playing full-back, everything is ahead of you and I enjoy that."