Wolves striker slams fitness jibes

Wolves powerhouse striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake is a lean machine in front of goal as he has blasted rumours he is overweight.

Recent unflattering pictures have led to claims that the 21-year-old is carrying too much timber.

At 5ft 10in and 13st 4lbs, the former Plymouth man certainly packs plenty of power and strength into his frame.

He will bid to use that as Mick McCarthy's men attempt to outmuscle fellow play-off hopefuls Charlton tomorrow tea-time.

But the 20-goal marksman insists he is as fit as anyone and even says he is even considering risking a booking by taking his shirt off to prove it.

"Maybe people could speak to the fitness coaches and staff here who do weight and body fat on a monthly basis," he said.

"I'm in good condition and I don't think you can score goals and play week-in, week-out for a team of this standard at this level if you're not fit.

"Maybe next time I score a goal I'll have to take my top off and then people can see for themselves!

"I don't know a defender yet who will say they've had an easy time against me this season, so we'll leave it at that.

"It's just that my natural shape is probably not the most flattering.

"Some kits make me look different, but that's how it goes.

"I've got an arch in my back and my bum sticks out, a bit like Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. But it's muscle, strength and power and that's how it comes across.

"It's just me, and I'm not very tall, which people might look at as well."

With 28 goals in 62 League starts, Ebanks-Blake isn't concerned with his size and the former Manchester United reserve points to one of his mentors at Old Trafford as the perfect example of someone using their presence to maximum effect.

"You look at some of the greatest players – Wayne Rooney might not look flattering to the eye but when you see him play you look past it," he said.

"It's just one of those things that I'm going to have to live with.

"I know I'm in the best condition I could be in right now and I'm playing football, so there's not a problem with my weight."

Ebanks-Blake admits he has a chunky build but insists he is a clean-living

professional and lives as a dedicated sportsman.

"I live right and try and do the right things and I'm happy with myself, which is all that matters," he added.

As such, the £1.5m January signing isn't concerned about his weight on the scales.

He's far more bothered throwing his muscle behind remaining in goalscoring form for Wolves' play-off push so he can help the club achieve the common goal of Premier League football next season.

"I'm just relishing it at the moment and enjoying my football," he said.

"That's what I come into training to work on every day, to be the best I can be, which is all I can do."

Meanwhile, Wolves reserves defender Martin Riley has joined League Two Shrewsbury to the end of the season.

Riley, who has been at Molineux since he was 13, has been training with Town over the last month and has played in the reserves.

Town boss Paul Simpson said: "Martin's a young centre-half who's been with us for quite a while now training and playing in the reserves.

"I've seen enough to take a closer look, so we've signed him on non-contract forms until the end of the season.

"That gives me another few weeks to decide if he's going to be right for this

football club, because I've only actually seen him in one reserve game."