Boss Mick McCarthy believes Michael Kightly now has the platform to go on and prove himself as a Barclays Premier League player.

 

The winger has put in impressive performances against Tottenham and Aston Villa, buoyed by a successful loan spell with Watford which boosted spirits after two years interrupted through various injuries.

 

If able to stake a claim with a sustained run in the team, Kightly can get even better according to the boss who first took a chance on him from Grays Athletic back in November, 2006.

 

"Kights will just get stronger and fitter and he'll be fine," said Mick.

 

"He had Premier League ability before that, and his ability was never in doubt for me.

 

"What he needs now is seven, eight, nine, 10 games in the Premier League on the bounce.

 

"That then will tell us where he is.

 

"Physically, he's just like brand new - he's fine.

 

"He's completed the last two Premier League games without any problems at all. He's been terrific."

 

Kightly has himself admitted to some pretty dark days during his absences from action, at times wondering if he was ever going to play again at a high level.

 

The fact he has come through and is now hoping to once again prove his abilities is testament to the hard work and mental strength which kept him going.

 

"I'm delighted, for me personally, for the club and for the fans because they've loved him over the years here and the success he's been," added Mick.

 

"Sadly he missed almost two years on and off, but for him the heartache and anguish he's gone through to get back to the standard he's at, I'm thrilled for him, really delighted.

 

"It takes a huge effort. I know people say he gets well paid and looked after, but in football and sport, we see even well-paid superstars having their own troubles and problems.

 

"It's not just all roses because you're at a football club and getting well paid.

 

"If you're not doing what you love, and are injured and struggling to get fit, sometimes you find it so lonely when you're away from it.

 

"Michael had two years of it and he was remarkable.

 

 

"He kept his spirits up, was very stoic, and he kept going, whether it was his ankle or his knee.

 

"It's wonderful to see him back playing in the Premier League.

 

"Players get their 'je ne sais quoi' or spirit or their love of the game or the love of everyone else or the happiness, or whatever it is that they get back.

 

"Everything they had comes back and the world is a much rosier, sunnier place when you're back playing football, that's for sure.

 

"Whatever all those things are, it all seems a lot better when you have them back."

 

The last two weekends has seen Kightly re-ignite the wing partnership with Matt Jarvis which helped Wolves reach the Premier League.

 

With those two, and Stephen Hunt and Adam Hammill, there is plenty of quality from wide positions available to the manager.

 

"Jarvo is what he is and Kightly is different," he said.

"Kightly can come inside; he can go around them on the outside because he's still got that ability, but Jarvo is a different player.

"Kightly sees things and has a really good understanding of the game - he comes inside, he can play with his back to the play and he's just a very good footballer."