Stephen Ward has targeted a positive result at Everton on Saturday to ensure Wolves improve on their start to last year's Barclays Premier League campaign.

Saturday's opening day victory against Stoke, in which Ward played 90 minutes, was in stark contrast to the big kick-off 12 months ago when the Molineux Men were beaten at home by West Ham.

From there though Wolves registered an excellent win at Wigan to get off the mark, and Ward has the target of a point or better from a tough assignment at Goodison Park to crown an even more impressive start.

Wolves drew home and away with Everton last season, but the Irish utility man knows it will be a tough ask come 3pm on Saturday.

"It's going to be a really tough game at Everton," he confirmed.

"At Goodison they are a major force but we will go there with confidence after Saturday's win.

"Last year we went there and the lads put in a really good performance and we were unlucky not to win the game.

"We'll be looking to put on another performance like that and hopefully come back with something on the board.

"It's always nice to win your first game in a season especially in front of our home fans and hopefully we can kick on from there.

"Last year we were all, new to it and lost but we did go to Wigan on Tuesday and win.

"It is a lot better to start with a win and if we could get something at Everton it would be a really good start from us and an improvement on last year."

Ward's renowned versatility was once again to the fore at Molineux on the opening day, starting the game at left back behind new signing Jelle Van Damme before moving into midfield for the latter stages after the Belgian's withdrawal.

It made a change from trying to keep up with the electric pace of Matt Jarvis, but it proved an enjoyable afternoon both individually and for the team.

"It's easier to keep up with Jelle than it is when Jarvo is playing on the left but I thought he did really well and put in some good crosses," said Ward.

"He's a big strong lad who gave us a lot of presence and it was enjoyable to play alongside him.

"I enjoy playing at left back and being able to get forward from there.

"But in the last 20 minutes George (Elokobi) came on and I went into midfield which gave me even more license to get forward.

"I thought the game went well for us and I had a chance towards the end which could have killed the game off.

"Thomas Sorensen pulled off a really good save and then the second one was blocked.

"Fortunately we held on and I thought we deserved the three points."

It was in the second game of last season that Ward picked up an injury at Wigan which a couple of games later saw him consigned to the sidelines.

He's in far better spirits this time around, particularly now back to full fitness having undergone cartilage surgery at the end of last season.

"I was delighted to play on Saturday," he added.

"I was in for a lot of the summer having rehab on my knee and it feels pretty much back to 100 per cent now.

"It was enjoyable to play and hopefully I can stay fit now for the season and do as well as possible."

* Tickets are still available for Saturday's game.  Click here for prices and details.