John Ruddy hopeful of finding Wolves solution

The 31-year-old was a mainstay between the sticks last year, playing 45 matches and keeping 24 clean sheets to earn the Championship goalkeeper of the season award.

However the arrival of Portugal international Rui Patricio has seen ex-Norwich man Ruddy relegated to the bench.

The keeper said he and boss Nuno Espirito Santo were 'hopeful of finding a solution' to his situation.

EFL clubs can still sign players on loan for the rest of this month, although it remains to be seen if Ruddy is allowed to leave temporarily.

Ruddy told BT Sport: "I had an open and honest conversation with the manager about my situation and we're hopeful of finding a solution for that.

"I'm more than happy, as long as I'm here, to support the team in any way I can.

"I knew a goalkeeper would have come in (this summer). But because it's a goalkeeper everyone says he's coming in to play.

"We've brought five new players in who have all played (on Saturday against Everton) – it's not just me being replaced in the team.

"You loook at Romain Saiss, he had a fantastic season last year, sat on the bench as well and difficult for him to take.

"At the same time we're well aware of how difficult this league is and how together we have to be, just like we were last year.

"We're all in it. It's appropriate we play for Wolves because we always use the phrase 'the strength of the wolf is in the pack'.

"Matchdays (are difficult when not being in the team), obviously, being in the head ot the moment, the huddle, preparing in the changing rooms, doing your warm up.

"On a a day to day basis we've got a fantastic camaraderie in the group. every day I'm driving Rui on, Will (Norris) is driving Rui on, we've got a really good togetherness.

"If that helps improve the squad and performances on a Saturday, I'm all for it."

Ex-Wolves boss Mick McCarthy was alongside Ruddy in the BT studio.

He said it was always a difficult situation for a manager with two good keepers to leave one out.

"They'd down tools and feel like not playing," McCarthy said.

"Anyone listening to John talk about it, he does in a calm and calculated manner and I know he's raging inside because he's not playing!

"I had it with Bartosz (Bialkowski) and Gerks (Dean Gerken) at Ipswich, two really good goalkeepers. but you can only play one and it's making the decision.

"Nuno will have had to think long and hard about it but he's paid for those decisions."