Stephen Hunt's ready to make his mark

Stephen Hunt is set to stay at Wolves next season after vowing to make a "bigger long-term" impact.

The Ireland winger is pulling out all the stops to avoid a third Premier League relegation after suffering the drop with Reading and Hull and responded to his recall with a man of the match performance in the 3-1 win against Albion on Sunday.

After suffering the drop with Reading, Hunt stayed on to try to get them promoted before leaving Hull when they suffered the drop last May.

But the 29-year-old looks like remaining at Molineux whichever division the club is in next season as he bids to pay back the fee after being restricted to just 12 Premier League starts due to foot, calf and hernia injuries this term.

"It's going to be a short-term impact from me in terms of the three games this season with a view to making a bigger long-term impact next season," said Hunt.

"I've never stopped believing in myself and it was nice to put in a good performance. It gives me some confidence going into the weekend.

"I was just happy to get back in."

Hunt insists Wolves must reproduce their high tempo performance against Albion at Sunderland this Saturday lunchtime if they are to continue their survival bid.

"Every bit of effort we put in on Sunday has got to be put in again in what's always a difficult place to go," he said.

"We're all back on it getting ready for Sunderland.

"I might be being a bit negative but we went to Villa and won 1-0 and then didn't win another game before Sunday.

"The manager was pointing that out to us after the weekend so we've got to roll our sleeves up again at Sunderland."

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy, meanwhile, revealed he signed Hunt because his players 'hated' playing against him.

"People forget very quickly what Hunt was like playing against us for Reading and Hull," said McCarthy.

"We all hated him — and loved him as well and all wished he was in our team.

"Then we got an opportunity to put him in our team and all the people saw was negativity because it was Matt Jarvis whose place he was taking.

"Jarvo has had a brilliant season — he's been fantastic, but I thought he needed a break.

"I bet 'Jarvo' has played 35 games with the cup games as well and playing for England."

McCarthy insisted Hunt enjoyed his best game for Wolves against Albion.

"Without doubt it was his best game — he's hardly played because it was only his 12th start in the league," he said.

"When he came back the first time he didn't play particularly well, but Sunday was the right game for him. He was great.

"He epitomised the team and set the tone for the team."