Jelle van Damme set for left-back

Jelle van Damme has vowed to become a leader on the pitch at Wolves as boss Mick McCarthy declared he has been bought to play left-back.

The £2.5million recruit from Anderlecht has arrived with an impressive standing that commands respect in the dressing room.

Van Damme has won 23 caps for Belgium as well as league titles with Anderlecht and Ajax, along with the Belgian Cup.

With Stephen Hunt injured, van Damme is likely to be the oldest of McCarthy's summer signings who start the season.

And the versatile left-back wants to be a positive vocal influence on the pitch to help get the best out of Wolves' young and hungry brigade.

He said: "It's a young squad, which is how it was at Anderlecht. I'm nearly 27, but at Anderlecht I was one of the most experienced players.

"I hope I can help out because I'll certainly bring all of my experience to the team.

"On the pitch, I'll speak to everyone in a positive way to get them going and encourage them.

"That was one of my strengths in Belgium – I was good in the group and I'm a social guy.

"Once I'm on the field I give everything I've got."

McCarthy is in no doubts as to where van Damme will play.

The manager said: "Jelle is a left-back. He can also play wide left or as a left centre back, but predominantly left-back.

"The day I saw him play, he was terrific on the left side of midfield. He plays like an English league player – he headed it, tackled and competed - there were no airs or graces about him.

"He's got to be a threat in the air – he's 6ft 3in, and he's got goals in him.

"Physical size and strength is important in this league."

McCarthy feels the Premier League experience he struggled to recruit a year ago is vital.

He said: "That theory of mine was proved by the fact the longer the season went on, the better the players got.

"We grew into it and only lost two in 11 at the end of the season.

"So if we bring in players with Premier League experience, it's got to be good."