CARL Ikeme says he wants first-team football – but hasn’t given up on a future with Wolves.

The 25-year-old goalkeeper is fit again after shoulder surgery and is looking to push on his career after a successful loan stint at Leicester City last season.

Ikeme is down to the final year of his contract and despite stories to the contrary, is yet to hear from Wolves regarding an extension.

And with the arrival of Dorus de Vries to challenge Wayne Hennessey that leaves him with a predicament.

“I wouldn’t say things are up in the air as such but when you have got a year left and when you haven’t really played for a club it does seem that it is a bit up in the air,’’ he said.

“I suppose it is more a case of just wanting to get my career kick-started really.

“Wolves is a great club and I do love it here but I want to be playing as well, and if that can’t happen then I will be faced with a difficult decision.

“But until that time comes it is difficult to say more.

“A few people have asked me: ‘Do you see it as a ‘make-or-break’ season?’ and I don’t see it that way at all.

“It is just the same as any other season for me.

“I just want to be playing, just the same as any footballer does really.

“Yes, I have got a year left on my contract but it is the same with me in that I just want to be playing.”

Mick McCarthy is a fan of the Sutton Coldfield-born No.1, and spoke during the club’s current training camp in Ireland of his wish for all three goalkeepers to battle it out for the shirt.