Wolves defender raring to go after op

The 20-year-old right-back hasn't featured in any pre-season friendlies after experiencing discomfort caused by loose fragments following a cartilage operation last October.

Following 'clean-up' surgery, the former England under-19s international is ready to start training again.

"I've had my knee cleaned out because it didn't feel right from the first operation," said Little.

"I've had a lot of loose fragments removed and it feels a lot better. It hadn't repaired properly and there were loose bits everywhere.

"They tidied it up and now it feels like a new knee again.

"I trained on Thursday and I think I'm ready to go back into the full sessions, but the medical team are holding me back because I'm ahead of schedule."

After injuring his knee on loan at Northampton last autumn, Little admits he feels like making up for lost time.

"I'm a pre-season behind the lads so I've got a lot of running ahead of me," he said. "I missed the last pre-season because of my ankle and it's so important to get one under your belt and get to that level.

"I think they're going to get me doing lots of running, then phase me back into training. It can't be a full pre-season because I'm so far behind the lads.

"The plan is to monitor me next week in training and I'll be fit to do my pre-season the week after."

Little acknowledges the competition is fierce, with Richard Stearman, Greg Halford and Ronald Zubar all playing there in pre-season with first choice right-back Kevin Foley.

"My task is absolutely massive, but it's the same for them as it is for me," he said.

"There's four or five of us and everyone is trying to get into the team. But as long as I'm in good shape to challenge, that's what I'm here for."

He may have to go out on loan to get some match action.

"I still haven't spoken to the gaffer and it's all down to him," he said.