Mel Eves: Wolves should not be scared in the Premier League

The former striker believes that Molineux's men can finish 10th or more, and it will not take long before they move on to phase 3 – to challenge the country's top clubs.

Eves, who scored 44 goals for the Wolves from 1975 to 1984, said: "I am very confident that the Wolves will be more than able to defend themselves in the Premier League and I do not think they have something to fear.

"I think Wolves are as lucky as any other team to succeed. I'm sure Nuno will be playing the same style of football as last season.

"This is a step forward in the Premier League and there is no easy match, but they will come back with confidence.

" As long as we don? have no real problems I think we could finish 10th.

"I think it's realistic that we could finish higher than that in our first season."

Fosun drew up a 10-year plan after taking over the Wolves for the club to succeed.

And Eves said the club has now completed the first leg that was to win the championship promotion.

The wolves are "a year ahead of the schedule" and are now on "phase two" which must be established in the Premier League, said Eves.

He added: "And the third phase will try to enter the top six, the top four, and fight for a place in Europe.

" You walk before you can run but we are probably in the jogging phase now. "

But Eves says it's important that the Wolves get a good start in the Premier League.

And he believes that against Everton in the first game of the season at home will provide a good test of how the wolves will behave for the rest of the campaign.He said: "Our first game against Everton will give us a real indication of where we are as they are probably looking to enter the top six.

"If we can win this game and get points at the top of the table, it puts us under pressure no matter what."