Young striker Niall Ennis is keen to emerge a stronger player and person for last season’s injury nightmare as he targets continuing his Wolves progress.
Ennis, who recently turned 17, had enjoyed an impressive first half to last season at Under-18 level, and also broken through into the Under-21s, before fracturing his fibula on the eve of the FA Youth Cup tie with Metropolitan Police in January.
Ennis has been back into Compton Park for a check on his progress, having resumed non contact training, and, providing all is well, will be hoping to step up his work and be back involved from pre-season.
“The injury feels really good now, and I don’t need to rush back for anything because we are in the close season now,” says Ennis.
“I have been in for treatment and doing some work and just need to maintain my fitness to be ready to come back in pre-season.
“It is good that I have got to the end of the recovery now.
“It felt a long time when it happened but I have managed to stay strong.
“I think I have grown as a person and a player, and feel like I will be mentally stronger for the experience.
“I have learned a lot about myself which is a positive to take away from it.
“It also makes you realise how much you have to be grateful for when you are fit.
“You can’t take anything for granted because anything can happen and is a good learning curve.”
Ennis had been a mainstay in the England Under-17 set-up as they set about trying to qualify for last month’s European Championships in Azerbaijan.
Whilst Ennis was unable to be there, the team did make it, where they were edged out by Spain in the quarter finals.
“It was disappointing to miss out with England and it did take a while to get my head around it,” Ennis explains.
“But life goes on!
“You can’t keep things that you have missed out on – you have to think about what is to come in your career otherwise you just keep thinking about the past all the time.
“If I do well here at Wolves then maybe there is always next year and the other England age groups to try and get involved with.”
Ennis, who was initially spotted by Wolves after attending an event run by Wolves Community Trust, has attracted plenty of expectation from supporters thanks to his goalscoring exploits at club and international level.
He admits it is nice to have built up that sort of expectation, but that he will not be getting carried away.
There remains much work to be done for Ennis as he aims for a senior breakthrough, and it is very much one step at a time as he heads into the 2016/17 Sky Bet Championship.
“I think I will probably go into the Under-21s when I come back and it is up to me to do well and improve my game,” he added.
“I am still young, I don’t have to rush anything, and while everyone wants to play in the first team one day I am happy to be with the 21s and doing my best.
“Whatever age group I play I want to do well and score as many goals as I can.
“I am a fan of football so when I see young players pushing it is good to see them getting a chance.
“It is nice to think that there are fans out there who want to see me get an opportunity.
“And one day I want to prove that I can do it, and follow the other players who have gone through at Wolves.
“I know that a lot of players have been in the same position as me at this age.
“And it is the ones who stay grounded and focused who are the ones that take it on and get further in their career.
“I have a professional contract now and it is time to step on again.
“I always have targets I set myself every season which I will keep to myself.
“Every time I hit a target I will make a new one, I am never satisfied.”
