Jody Craddock has set his sights on remaining a first team regular as he heads into his fifth Wolves season.

Wolves took up the one-year option on Jody's contract at the end of last season, and the experienced 32-year-old is now ready for the challenge of competing for a starting berth in the centre of defence.

"I want to play football and be in the team, that's my aim first and foremost," he says.

"I know it's going to be difficult because there's going to be a fight for places.

"Playing is important to me - I'm a footballer and I want to be playing football.

"I'm never happy in the reserves and I was made up at getting the extra year's contract.

"That was my goal, I got that, now I want to play again this season.

"It's up to me - I know I need to be playing well to be in the team.

"I understand that, it's the same every season and we'll see how it goes."

Jody is now one of the most experienced members of Mick McCarthy's squad, which lends itself to the theory he may be one of the contenders for the captain's armband he has previously worn at Molineux.

But he admits that while returning to the captaincy would be an honour, not being named as skipper will have no bearing on his efforts next season.

"If I was asked to be captain, I'd love to be captain," he said.

"If I'm not, then I'm happy just to be a part of the team.

"Sometimes the older players can take it in their stride and I don't feel as if the added responsibility affects me.

"If anything it can bring your game on a bit and when you get to my age, you're just trying to play consistently.

"I think responsibility sits easier as you get older - you learn to cope with the pressures and the outcomes better - it's one advantage of being older!"