Wolves' John Ruddy targeting promotion No.3

During his seven years at Norwich City, Ruddy twice ascended to the Premier League and earned an England cap.

But with his time at Carrow Road over, he admitted he needed a move to give him an ‘extra bit of a push’.

“I’m a 30-year-old new boy,” he told the League Paper. “In terms of coming to the club, it was a move that excited me. When I spoke to people here, and in football in general, it was deemed a club going places.

“It fitted my outlook on my career. I needed that extra bit of push, a club that wants to match the ambitions I’ve got, which is to get back in the Premier League.

“When the new owners came in, what was it a year ago? There was a lot of change with three managers last season.

“I think the owners have realised you can’t just chop and change and demand instant success.

“A lot of people have tried that and it hasn’t worked. Patience but being progressive at the same time is the way forward.

“I’ve got out of this league a couple of times. Both times it was because we had a young, hungry squad determined to achieve something – and I see similarities to this squad.

“Fosun, the owners of Wolves, are an investment group and, when you buy a club like this for the price they did, it’s a very good investment.

“The training facilities here, the stadium, one of the biggest in the Championship, the infrastructure is already in place. It only needs the finishing touches to it on the pitch.”

Ruddy admitted he arrived under difficult circumstances – just days after it was revealed No.1 Carl Ikeme had leaukaemia.

And he would dearly love to compete with the Nigerian international for the position between the posts very soon.

“Myself and the lads are really hoping that Carl can make his way back down here at some point and give us the boost we need during the season,” he said.

“I think that’s what it would be, a massive boost for everyone. Probably Carl as well.

“I think he’s in good spirits, the treatment is going well.”