Young Lions Dominic Iorfa and Kortney Hause will roar for Wolves

The Molineux recruitment and development chief believes the pair, both just 20, have come on leaps and bounds in the past 12 months.

Thelwell kept a close eye as the Wolves youngsters starred in England Under-21's triumph at the recent Toulon Tournament and said they were among the Young Lions star performers.

Thelwell said: "It is always very pleasing to see young players come through and break into the first team and the more the play the better they will get.

"One big example of that for me was the summer tournament for England Under-21s in Toulon which I watched very closely. I think the comparison for Dominic Iorfa and Kortney Hause to last year's tournament – where they were less experienced – it was almost like night and day really."

And Thelwell enthused: "If you didn't know and were picking out the players in that team who belonged to the champions Leicester or were playing for Arsenal, I think you would have picked our two.

"It's a big statement, but that is based on the experienced they have built up over the last couple of seasons at Wolves.

"And we as a club will be better for it at the start of next season.

"Those two lads have got a lot of games under their belts now – they may be only 20 but they are not inexperienced any more and have benefited from all those games that they have played."

Meanwhile, former Wolves winger Rajiv van La Parra says he will be unconcerned by the reception he gets when he faces his old club again after causing a storm among fans.

The Dutchman, now with Huddersfield Town, sparked fury when he posted a message on social media saying: "One week they love you. Next week they hate you. Both weeks I got paid."

However, he told reporters in Yorkshire that he is unworried as the fixtures were released this morning.

"It was all a lesson for me, and I suppose there will always be people who remind you of something," said the 25-year-old.

"If I get booed by Wolves fans then I will have to deal with it.

"But from my side, it's in the past. I am a Huddersfield player and happy to be here.

"I am looking to the future and ready to work hard in pre-season."