George Elokobi admits he was both "thrilled" and "excited" to have signed a new three-year contract to tie him to Wolves until 2013.

 

But the powerful Cameroon-born defender will certainly not be resting on his laurels.

 

Far from it.

 

Instead the popular full back has vowed to continue to work just as hard as possible to ensure that both he - and Wolves - continue to prosper.

 

"I'm thrilled and excited to have signed the new contract.

 

"I've had some ups and downs at Wolves particularly with having such a bad injury a couple of years ago.

 

"But I came back last year and towards the end of the season started to show what I can do.

 

"That was me getting back to his best and now I want to push on.

 

"It's good to know that I've got the backing of the gaffer for the next three years and am in his plans.

 

"And obviously I want to carry on developing.

 

"I was excited to get the deal done but I want to put that to bed now and concentrate on helping the club stay in the Premier League and going on to better things."

 

Elokobi's rise from the non-league with Dulwich Hamlets to Colchester to now having already chalked up 23 appearances in one of the toughest leagues in world football could surely have monopolised the title of  a footballing rags to riches story.

 

 

It hasn't however been without its hurdles, not least the severe cruciate knee injury sustained at Portman Road two years ago which could have been a career-threatener.

 

Boss Mick McCarthy has already described Elokobi's recovery - in which there was barely even a flicker of depression amid the torment - as "inspirational".

 

The man himself however does acknowledge that there were concerns.

 

"I had doubts in my mind along the way, of course I did," Elokobi explains.

 

"But I had to be strong and push all those doubts away.

 

"And I managed to come back strongly which was down not only to my own work but also the medical staff of the club who did a great job.

 

"The fans were also great to me and really supportive in helping me through.

 

"There was also the trust from the gaffer that I would get back to being the player I was before and I was delighted he kept faith in me.

 

"It's good to know after a horrible injury that the gaffer still wanted me to come back and kept that faith that I would come back."

 

There must be something in the stars for Elokobi on this particular weekend of the year as that injury came two years ago and this time last year marked his Barclays Premier League debut as a half time substitute at Manchester City.

 

Hopefully any further drama at Goodison Park this afternoon will be of a positive nature for Elokobi, who admits it did take him a while to get up to Premier League speed.

 

"I must admit my first 10 games in the Premier League were really tough for me," he says.

 

"I'd been out for nearly a year and was coming back into the new league which is one of the hardest in the world.

 

"Coming up against the best players in the world I found difficult to adapt to at first.

 

 

"I got the hang of it towards the end of last season and I really started to enjoy my football again and enjoyed being a Premier League player.

 

"Now I want to carry on and improve from last season.

 

"There is some real competition for places at left back and that can only make the team and the squad stronger.

 

"The competition helps us as players to work even harder to try and take our games to the next level.

 

"Everyone who is battling for the left back spot has their own qualities and all of them can do a very good job.

 

"That's what a squad system is all about, having strength in depth and players that can all step in and play well."

 

Elokobi developed cult status during his early days at Molineux, encapsulated in the emotional welcome received when he returned from injury in the closing stages of the final game of the Championship-winning season against Doncaster.

 

 

The 24-year-old remains extremely grateful for the support of the club's fans during some of the more testing times of his career, and hopes he has plenty more to give back in return.

 

"From day one Wolves as a club has meant everything to me," he explains.

 

"Every time I go out there I give my all and I think people can see I play like a proper Wolves boy!

 

"I feel like I'm part of the furniture now having been here for two-and-a-half years now and it's been a good journey for me.

 

"Obviously the injury wasn't a good part of it but I worked hard to come through it and think I've developed as a player.

 

"I worked hard to get back in the team last season and had some ups-and-downs then as well but I took it all in my stride and made sure I supported everyone else as well.

 

"I have to say a big thanks to the marvellous fans as well because I always appreciate their support and what they have done for me.

 

"It makes a real difference and hopefully it will be there for another three years.

 

"I'm thrilled to be here and hopefully will be for even longer!"