Andrew Surman will tonight step out for his first Wolves appearance on English soil at the place where it all began for him as a professional - Walsall's Banks's Stadium.

 

It was back in February, 2005, that Andrew made his Football League bow on loan to the Saddlers from Southampton as a half time substitute in a 2-2 draw with Wrexham.

 

He then followed it up by scoring the winner in his first senior start - ironically away at Bristol City who are Wolves' friendly opponents on Saturday - at the start of a highly successful spell with Walsall at the end of that season.

 

Andrew's development has continued over the last four-and-a-half years to the extent he now stands on the brink of the Barclays Premier League, but he certainly hasn't forgotten the place where it all began.

"Walsall were my first loan club and the club which gave me my senior debut in the Football League," he explains.

 

"As a result it's a club which will always be very close to me.

 

"I think for any player the club where you make your debut is one you always remember and it will be nice to go back there tonight.

"I think the squad has changed about quite a bit since I was there but I'm sure some of the staff will still be the same and I'm looking forward to it.

 

"Playing at first team level for the first time gives you a taste of what it is like and the  belief that you can do it.

 

"At Academy level you're always thinking about the future but when you get into a first team you have to learn quickly.

 

"With points to play for the pressure is on and the loan move to Walsall was very good for me in that respect.

 

"The fans always treated me well when I was there and I always remember them giving good backing to the team."

 

Mick McCarthy's decision to field separate and strong teams for tonight's game and the friendly with Port Vale tomorrow is a sign that his senior players will start to enjoy more match time as the big kick-off looms ever closer.

 

It's also testament to the sort of competition for places which Andrew and company know is in store for the starting eleven for the opener against West Ham come August 15.

 

"Pre-season is all about moving up to the next level each time and we'll probably be getting more time out there over the next few games.

 

"As well as doing all the fitness work the lads also want to get as much football in as they can which helps with sharpness and ensures everyone is ready for when the season arrives.

 

"It's quite a big squad and there have been some good additions so I always knew about the competition for places.

 

 

"There are two good teams going out for these two friendlies and everyone will be looking forward to trying to make an impression.

 

"Of course it's all about fitness levels at the moment but everyone knows the gaffer is always watching and these games are the chance to stake a claim for when the season starts."

 

Talking of fitness levels, it's been an intensive and co-ordinated effort from Wolves already this summer.

 

There has certainly been no let-up, with the players back in on Saturday morning to ensure they quickly shrugged off any jet-lag from Australia not to mention more gym and training this week tailored around the two midweek friendlies.

 

It's all been beneficial to Andrew, who was also delighted to be able to sign in time for the pre-season tour.

He added:  "We've been doing some tough sessions but that's all part of pre-season as everyone needs to build up their fitness.

 

"The tour was really beneficial fitness wise and to get the first two games in, and win them both, was a bonus.

 

"And it was a good opportunity for me, having just joined the club, to get to know the other lads and for them to get to know me.

 

"That's always an important part of pre-season and certainly helped me.

 

"From the training and the games I can already see the quality of the side which I knew about from last season.

 

"As a new player it always takes a little bit of time to get used to new team-mates and adapt to how everybody else plays but it's all been good so far.

 

"We know just how fit we need to be because of that added increase in quality in the Premier League.

 

"We've got to be spot on in that respect which is why we are following this regime."