Wolves all set for lift-off, says Carl Ikeme

Ikeme and his colleagues must shackle a Burnley side at Turf Moor who have rattled in 26 league goals already this season, propelled by the 15-strike contribution of top scorer Charlie Austin.

It will be the toughest challenge so far for Stale Solbakken's rebuilt team. But Ikeme, one of the hits of the season as he enjoys his most sustained run of first-team football, believes Wolves are inching closer to becoming the 'real deal' in the division's promotion scrap.

"We should be thinking of promotion, of course we should, with the side we've got," he said.

"We've got a good quality team and I think we're on the verge of coming together in a big way.

"We've had one or two results where we've drawn and should have won but I do think we're getting that feeling after all the changes when you start to feel comfortable with the players and confident in their abilities. You can sense that coming.

"Losing Jarvis, Fletcher and Kites left the squad a little bit light but the players the manager has brought in have filled the gap, I think.

"Strangely enough, we seem to be able to control games a bit more away from home.

"But during the Bolton game I was thinking: 'This is a good game; this is more like a Premier League fixture with a lot of good football being played.'

"We're getting there, I really think that."

Ikeme admits that he has been particularly impressed with the speed at which Wolves' overseas contingent have integrated.

He adds: "With Mick (McCarthy) there was a real work emphasis, it would be 'fight to the death' football.

"It's changed now – tactically we are being made more aware and the gaffer has a very clear view of what he wants.

"There was a lot of change at the club. Having so many new lads coming in from overseas can be a bit of a worry. We were wondering how we would integrate.

"But they've got the banter quickly – in fact sometimes they are right in the middle of it!"