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Such has been the steep progression of Danny Batth, from a rookie doomed to be forever sent out on loan – to the heartbeat and soul of Wolves , that the Premier League looks well within his grasp. Whether Wolves get there or not.

“That’s his aim and objective, to be able to do that, like all of us,” said head coach Kenny Jackett.

“If we’re an unknown quantity early on we won’t be if we maintain our current league position.

“That will be the next challenge of ours. Danny’s in that group where he’s had extensive experience in League One with Colchester and Sheffield Wednesday and he had his first full season at Wolves last year.

“Now going up a level, he wants to re-prove himself.

“Most of us are in that situation and he’s one of those who needs to do that.

“I don’t think he’ll play against many better than (Blackburn’s) Jordan Rhodes but Danny will come up against different combinations during the season.

“The good thing for him is that he’s part of a settled group and a settled back four with a settled partner in Richard Stearman and goalkeeper Carl Ikeme behind him.

“And if we do need to change at any stage, then he will know the options to come in because he’s trained with them. Hopefully having that consistency around you can help you to know your job, know what your team is about and then, most importantly, produce your top form.

“He’ll be pleased with his start I’m sure, but it’s only five games in and he would now be very hungry to rise to the challenge, which is to replicate that all the way through the season.”

To think Batth was into the last six months of his contract in the winter and yet still the big fish didn’t bite.

“Publicity can sometimes generate that and sometimes you wonder where it comes from because it’s opinions,” said Jackett, who’d be happy to see this particular asset stay under the radar.

“But that’s the beauty of the game and we’re not thinking about what other clubs think of him.

“That’s not our consideration. I understand what people say about young English centre-backs, but from our point of view, we’re not really looking to promote him outside.

“Also, every game we’ve played this season he is our captain on the pitch.

“Sam (Ricketts) has been club captain and substitute but Danny has been captain and that’s a big responsibility to go into a new division and do that.

“If you’re looking where Sam’s been and what he’s done, there’s a lot he can put to good use for us. But for Danny, going into a new division, it’s a big challenge for him, and so far he’s risen to it well.

“His next challenge is to make sure he maintains those standards.”