Stephen Ward told to kick on at Wolves

Jan 1 2008 By Paul Berry

STEPHEN Ward was today backed to pick up from where he left off at Norwich on Saturday and play a major role for Wolves over the second half of the season.

The striker has put in sterling service on the left wing so far this season, despite being away from his natural position and playing through the discomfort of a niggling knee problem.

Having sat out the Boxing Day defeat at Hull, Ward returned to impressive effect at Carrow Road to the delight of boss Mick McCarthy.

He said: "Stephen has suffered with his knee a bit this season, we've had to look after him with not training sometimes and so he was never going to get through all the Christmas games.

"But he was excellent on Saturday, his work ethic is always terrific and he really puts a shift in to help out his left back.

"It's just a shame he didn't get his goal, but I'm sure that will come.

"Stephen's had a meteoric rise since he came from Bohemians, he came in and did really well with Andy Keogh.

"His performances were sky high and so it was only natural that they would level out a bit at some stage. But after Saturday hopefully he's now going to be able to kick on again."