Kevin McDonald praises Wolves' "ultimate pro" Carl Ikeme

Playing in League One this season, the keeper was never in with a chance of international recognition, despite being one of the best outside the Premier League.

But McDonald, who was crowned double player of the year last week, rates the 27-year-old shotstopper – who qualifies for England and Nigeria - so highly that he is convinced he is capable of playing for his country.

"The sky's the limit for the guy – he's got everything and he can achieve whatever he wants to do," said McDonald.

"He's such a big important player for us.

"We see him in training every day and fans have seen what he's done in games and I don't see why he can't go into international football.

"I said it from the first couple of weeks since I went in, he's been unbelievable and I don't see what can stop him because he's got all the qualities.

"He's been fantastic and I've played with really good keepers but he's the best goalkeeper I've ever played with, without a doubt."

One-club man Ikeme, who has been at Molineux since 2003, is into the final year of his contract and Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey has indicated the club will sit down with him this summer to thrash out a new deal.

Ikeme helped Wolves to a third-tier record and club-best 25 clean league sheets and McDonald believes the keeper's dedication to his game is behind his all-round reliability.

"'Kemes' will do whatever it takes to be the best – he's a great pro and works so hard," said the Scot.

"He's in the gym before training and after training - he does everything right and he's the ultimate pro and he's a good leader for the boys and everyone looks up to him."

And, perhaps not surprisingly given his praise, Ikeme won McDonald's vote for player of the year.

"I voted for Carl because he was the one who kept us in games for the first 15 matches of the season," said the playmaker.

"Would we have achieved what we did without that? I'm not too sure.

"Thank goodness he was in our goal otherwise we might not be where we are.

"It's a privilege for us to have him in our goal and we've reaped the benefits.

"Let's hope he does the same for us next season because if he does, it will stand us in good stead."