Wolves defender Jody Craddock is relishing the challenge of holding onto his first-team place in Mick McCarthy's new-look side next season.Craddock, 32, was handed a new one-year deal over the summer while fellow centre-halves Darren Ward and Rob Edwards were transfer-listed and Gary Breen released.

Boss McCarthy has already brought in Richard Stearman from Leicester and is looking for another centre-back, having been linked with Norwich's Jason Shackell and Christophe Berra of Hearts.

But Craddock is confident he can keep the new boys at bay when the Championship season kicks off on August 9.

"I'm never happy in the reserves and I was made up with the extra year's contract," he told the club's official website.

"That was my goal, I got that and now I want to play again this season. It's up to me, I know I have to be playing well to be in the team."

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