Youngsters issued with challenge

Daniel Jones departed for Northampton on loan this week to join fellow youngster Mark Little at Sixfields, leaving Wayne Hennessey as the only homegrown representative in Wolves first team.

But Gobern has scotched talk that the club's homegrown players aren't getting a fair crack of the whip from Mick McCarthy – insisting it is up to them to prove they are good enough.

"I think a few of the younger boys who I came through with are a bit frustrated because of injury or not getting picked, but that is what football is all about – it is competitive and you've just got to work hard to show the manager what you can do," he said.

"He has been quality with the young lads since he came in – he's given us chances.

"And his man management skills are quality in general, in my opinion. Certain players might think they should be playing, but he'll be outspoken and up front with you and you know where you stand.

"The young boys are willing to improve and show the manager what we can do though. We're all determined to make our mark – we want to establish ourselves and follow in the footsteps of Matt Murray, Joleon Lescott and Robbie Keane."

"But we don't have a divine right to play just because we've come through the club's youth system."

Gobern has been suffering knee problems since the end of the year due to fluid on the joint – but a course of injections should finally clear up the problem and free him to play again before the end of the campaign.

"I'm starting to push on a bit now. I've got to the core of the problem and it's looking quicker than maybe I thought," he said.