Connor Ronan already eyeing up Wolves return

The young midfielder has had a breakout campaign under Paul Lambert, making a number of impressive appearances before being sidelined with a back stress fracture.

The injury is set to rule out the 19-year-old for the remainder of the season, but despite the bad news the midfielder is still looking forward.

“When I first found out I was disappointed and it wasn’t something I’d been expecting,” he said, speaking to Wolves' official website.

“I’d been having a few problems with my back over a couple of weeks and was sent for a scan which revealed the problem.

“It is strange because I actually feel OK and it still feels like I could play if I wanted to but obviously that would just do even more damage and would be very risky for the future.

“Realistically now it is going to be next season when I come back and I am already setting some targets.

“I spoke to my Mum and Dad and a few other people after hearing the news and made me realise that even though it is a bad thing, it hasn’t come at a bad time.

“If the problem hadn’t been picked up and I would have carried on playing I could have done more damage, and if it happened earlier in the season maybe I wouldn’t have got my first team opportunity.

“That would have been even more disappointing, because I would have had to come back and prove myself again to try and get in the first team.

Despite seeing his season cut short, Ronan expressed his delight to feature in a collection of big games for Wolves, having tested his abilities against Premier League opposition during Wolves historic FA Cup run.

“I have already had a few games, I feel I have been able to show what I can do, and that is one of the positives I have got to take forward.

“I have had the chance to play against the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea, and my first senior game at Molineux against Wigan, and I couldn’t have had a much better season personally.

“I made my debut at Nottingham Forest and then started at Sheffield Wednesday before being involved at Anfield.

“Just to be involved in a game like that was massive, and then to come off the bench as we got the win was a great experience.

“Although that was a massive game, our main concern was still the league and I was keen to stake my claim for a regular spot and help the team in the league before picking up the injury.

“I had just made my first start at home and we had been looking to build on that and get some more starts so in that respect it is bad timing.

“But, as I have said, it is about trying to focus on the positives now.

“I like to think that I am quite self-motivated – it is nice to have people around you who are there to motivate you as well – but I will be getting on with my plan from the physios every morning.”

However, undeterred by his disappointing injury news, the dynamic youngster is simply looking forward to getting back into training with Wolves and is eager to work hard to gain his place back.

“I am already thinking about getting back out there on the grass.

“I know how hard I am going to have to work to get myself fit again, and that I am probably going to have to take time out of my summer to get back to the correct fitness levels.

“But I need to be ready to go again in pre-season to try and get myself in the team right at the start.”