New Wolves midfielder David Jones always knew he would find one very familiar face in his new dressing room - former Manchester United team-mate Sylvan Ebanks-Blake.

Indeed David received something of a glowing reference from the Championship Golden Boot winner to confirm all he was thinking as he mulled over a move from Pride Park to Molineux.

But it is being re-united with Sylvan which has reminded the former Derby man of the best team spirit he has encountered while the pair were together at the United Academy, notably in lifting the 2003 FA Youth Cup when David was skipper.

And it's the sort of spirit which first Wolves impressions have suggested he might find once again among Mick McCarthy's promising and talented squad.

"I know Sylvan very well and it will be nice to link up with him again," says David.

"I spoke to him before I joined and he really 'bigged up' the club and said how much he was loving it here.

"He's really enjoying it and had nothing but good things to say about the club.

"After my first taste of it here I can see what he means.

"All the facilities, the staff, the stadium - the owner, chief executive and manager - they are all top people.

"I haven't really felt the same sort of team spirit and bond since I was in a youth team when it just feels like you're playing with your mates and those sorts of things.

"We played together at United for a few seasons, including winning the Youth Cup together.

"That was a great season when we got really close as a group and Sylvan was our striker.

"We played through the reserves for a few years together after that and there was a really good team spirit."

David continues: "It looks like it's going to be like that here at Wolves with the age of the squad.

"You need the experience as well but having met maybe 10 of the lads yesterday morning I can already see there's a great team spirit and I'm looking forward to being part of that.

"Hopefully we can take that team spirit onto the pitch and show it in our performances.

"Just from first impressions I'm really looking forward to being part of this team."

Well aware of Sylvan's talent even from the youth ranks at Manchester United, David was an interested onlooker as his former colleague blazed a 23-goal trail in the Championship last season.

And he is looking forward to supplying the ammunition to help Sylvan continue finding the net during the forthcoming campaign.

"Sylvan's a quality player who did really well last season both for Plymouth and when he moved to Wolves," David adds.

"Hopefully he can push on next season and while that's hard because of how well he did last season, I'm sure he'll be looking to improve again.

"He's certainly got the capabilities to do that and I'm looking forward to supplying him with a few chances."

But Sylvan is not the only one looking to make further strides next season.

After a season in and out of a Derby team eventually relegated from the Premier League, David is relishing the challenge of trying for a more positive campaign this time around.

"This is a new challenge for me and as a footballer I think you've always got something to prove," he admits.

"I had a good spell at Derby in my first season when we got promoted but last season didn't go to plan either for myself or the club.

"I played all the games in the Championship but found myself out of the team last year before managing to get back in.

"I felt in the games I did play I showed I could play at that level.

"Now I just want to push on at Wolves where there's a strong squad of players and everyone is going to be fighting for places.

"That competition makes you improve and I want to take my game to the next level.

"I think Wolves is the right place for me to do that.

"The manager gave me the option to stay at Derby but Wolves has always been a club I've admired and the chance to move here was something that really attracted me."

PICTURED: David puts pen to paper on his three-year Wolves contract watched by club secretary Richard Skirrow.