Carl Ikeme hails 'top professional' Mike Williamson after Wolves' FA Cup win

Williamson returned to action after more than a year out for the FA Cup win at Stoke on Saturday.

And Ikeme, who made a series of stunning saves during the 2-0 third round victory, said he was delighted that one of his good friends had finally put on a Wolves shirt again - despite not even having a squad number until Saturday.

"I speak to Mike quite a bit and I'm delighted for him as a friend," Ikeme said.

"You couldn't have a better professional - he does everything right and it's good to see him back.

"He is so professional, his diet is immaculate, everything he does, his gym work, he's worked really hard.

"It's a credit to him, he's worked so hard for a long time. We're are all delighted for him and a lot of the other lads as well who haven't played for a long time. It was brilliant to see all of them doing well and getting this result.

"It was so difficult coming back for his first game, his first 90 minutes, he didn't even have a shirt number at the start of the season but he's been a top professional.

"He's had some tough times and it's great to see him back."

Wolves' win was their first in the FA Cup since 2011 when they beat Doncaster Rovers 5-0 in a third round replay.

Ikeme said Wolves were confident going into the game, despite facing Stoke's multi-talented and expensively-assembled strike force.

"It's always nice to keep a clean sheet and make some saves, we were under pressure at the end of the game but the lads were brilliant from start to finish," he added.

"When you play a Premier League team, you don't think about it too much but you always raise your game a little bit more, we were confident going into the game, we've been playing well and we want to keep that run going.

"To be honest we've have been terrible in the FA Cup ever since I've been here! It was nice to get through to the next round, I was speaking to Pat (Mountain) the goalkeeper coach after and we couldn't remember when we got to the fourth round before.

"I think it must be quite a long time - hopefully we can get another Premier League tie in the next round."

Wolves' performances have notably improved under Paul Lambert and they've not kept three successive clean sheets away from home.

Ikeme said the Scot had been 'brilliant' - and is eyeing a run up the Championship table.

"He is delighted with the whole team's performance," Ikeme said of the boss. "We've got league games that are important too so hopefully we can carry this on to next week.

"It's been a bit difficult, the change of manager, new players, but the gap is coming and he's been brilliant and hopefully we can now start turning this around and pushing up the table

"The gaffer has got the whole team moving in the right direction and we really believe we can do something. It'll be difficult this season maybe, but hopefully if he keeps it the way we are going we could keep improving."