Boss Mick McCarthy admits he was impressed by the form of Wolves' strike pairing Steven Fletcher and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake in Saturday's win against Athletic Bilbao.

 

The calf injury to Kevin Doyle prompted the boss to pit the Irishman's fellow joint record signing alongside Ebanks-Blake for the final pre-season friendly, and both obliged with a goal apiece in the 2-1 win.

 

That augurs well for competition for places ahead of the big kick-off against Stoke on Saturday, with the boss particularly pleased with how Fletcher has quickly settled in to life at Molineux after his summer move from Burnley.

 

"Fletch is a good player and I'm delighted with him," he said.

 

"There's been no fuss or 'to do' from him at all - he's one of our lads and has just come in and got about his football.

 

"So far he's taken everything in his stride and he's been a really good addition to the squad.

 

"You watch them as footballers and get some sort of idea about their personality and what they are like but you don't fully know until they walk through the door.

"He's impressed me on every level.

 

"He's certainly not lacking in confidence and is a very good player.

 

"He linked up well with Sylvan for the goal on Saturday and it was a good finish.

 

"It's always pleasing for a striker to get a first goal in front of the home fans."

 

Ebanks-Blake has impressed the boss throughout pre-season with his attitude and form having returned with the bit between his teeth after a rare dip in goalscoring last time around.

 

"Sylvan did well and has put a shift in," Mick explained.

 

"He's known he has to do it but he's always been in my thoughts, that's never changed.

 

"Competition for places is very tough up front and Sylvan knows he's got to do more than he did last season.

 

"He's already shown a willingness and appetite to do it and came back very fit after the summer.

 

"It was nice for him to get another goal as well - he's worked hard in pre-season and I've been delighted with him.

 

"It is only a friendly but the more goals a striker gets whether it be in a friendly in training or wherever they are happy.

 

"He did have a bit of a lean season last time out but he'll be fine."

 

Both strikers took a fair amount of treatment from Athletic Bilbao's defenders but were fine afterwards, Fletcher quickly heading off to join up with the Scotland squad and Ebanks-Blake back at the Compton training ground with Wolves' non-international contingent this morning.

 

There is positive injury news meanwhile on Michael Kightly, with the winger pencilled in for a return to some sort of full training this week.

 

Kightly is in good spirits after coming through a lengthy rehabilitation programme after suffering problems with his patella tendons, and is now ready for the next step on the ladder.

 

"Kightly is doing very well," added Mick.

 

"He's very positive about how he feels but there's no time on him, it's about getting him back.

 

"He'll start stepping into training with the lads this week and will do a couple of sessions with the football for 30 minutes.

 

"I'm thrilled with that.

 

"He will be like a new player for us because we hardly used him at all last year."