Donovan Wilson is focused on becoming another young Wolves player to move towards first team contention after putting pen to paper on a new contract.
The 19-year-old striker has signed a contract that will take him through to the summer of 2018, with a further year’s option in Wolves’ favour.
Wilson, who joined Wolves from Bristol Rovers two years ago, has enjoyed some senior experience in both of his pre-seasons at Molineux and has impressed at Under-23 level so far during the current campaign.
“It feels great to get the contract done and know that I am going to be here for at least another 18 months,” he said.
“I just want to push on now and get into the first team.
“This season I have been really focused on my football and trying to do as well as I can.
“I know if I am focused and doing well then something good will happen.
“I feel like I have kicked on a lot this season and it has been different to last year.
“It has helped a lot that I had a good pre-season and have added goals to my game this season.
“I have also played right wing quite a bit this season which is a change for me.
“But I have enjoyed it.
“I never thought I’d be a winger but I don’t mind.
“I’m enjoying it – it has added something to my game and if I am playing well and scoring goals then I am happy.”
Wilson, despite being only 19, has the sort of experience which makes him one of the more senior figures in the Under-23 ranks.
He believes that has helped him, whilst he also remains focused on doing everything right off the pitch to give him the best possible chance of making a breakthrough.
“I think I have also matured a lot this season,” he says.
“It took me a bit of time to settle in here, longer than I would have wanted probably.
“But I feel I have matured a lot now and am ready to kick on and try and push on into the first team.
“I have to make sure I am eating right, training hard, doing extras outside training.
“I am doing everything I can to try and get there, and playing against mens teams in the Checkatrade Trophy this season has been good as well.
“It is more physical, you learn more, it’s different to 23s games.
“There are a lot of younger lads in the Under-23s now and I do feel like one of the more senior players at that level.
“I have always been a younger player playing up throughout my career so it feels different but I have got used to it.
“It’s not a major change, but maybe I just help the younger lads out a little bit now.”
With the contract now secured, the next aim is for Wilson to try and follow the examples of others in recent weeks who have graduated to first team honours under Paul Lambert.
“The target now is to get closer to the first team,” he confirmed.
“I’ve had an injury but should be back training and playing games this month hopefully.
“Like any player I want to break through.
“With the new gaffer, he is really good with giving young players a chance and that is always good in our situation.
“I have to feel there is a real chance for me.
“It would mean everything for me to get that opportunity – it is what I have been working towards my whole life.
“The goal for me has to be to be a first team player in 18 months time – whether that is having broken through here or gone out on loan and come back.”
