Sylvan Ebanks-Blake is eager to make up for lost time after making a bright start to the Premier League season.
Last season behind Wolves striker after bright start
Wolves striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake is eager to make up for lost time after making a bright start to his second season in the Premier League.
The 24-year-old was the Championship's top scorer when Wolves achieved promotion in 2009 but his debut season in the top flight was marred by injury and loss of form as he scored just two goals.
When the striker was available, he found it difficult to displace Kevin Doyle as the lone striker in boss Mick McCarthy's new formation as Wolves successfully avoided relegation.
Cynics deemed Ebanks-Blake inadequate at Premier League level but McCarthy never lost faith and has used the former Plymouth striker in Wolves' three unbeaten league games this term.
The player has responded to his manager's belief with two goals in that time and insists last season is now behind him as he aims to help the club stay up again.
"I suppose it's fair to say that I'm trying to resurrect myself personally although I was proud to be a member of a squad that did brilliantly last season," said Ebanks-Blake.
"People have said to me that I look a lot leaner and meaner this year. I missed a lot of football and I am a lot hungrier and I want to be more involved and contribute more.
"It's all about trying to turn things around for myself and making sure that I play my part for the team.
Fitness
"I want to stay as fit as I can and play as many games as I can and see where that gets me. This time last season I was just getting into six weeks of being out injured and all that comes with it.
"You quickly lose your sharpness when you can't train so it was a difficult start for me and it became harder and harder to build up any momentum.
"But I'm fit at the moment, I feel good within myself and hopefully it will stay that way."
Ebanks-Blake admits he found last season tough going and at times perhaps tried too hard to make an impression when given the opportunity.
He said: "I can't say what happened last year didn't affect me because it did. I didn't have any sleepless nights or anything like that but you do tend to try a little bit too hard to make things right.
"When the goals dry up, you try harder to score and ultimately it makes it even more difficult.
"But I think to try harder is just normal. It's part and parcel of being a human being. But I've put last season behind me now."
