Paul Lambert excited by big Wolves challenge

The head coach will be handed a sizeable transfer budget to bring in a number of first-team additions, while there are expected to be some high-profile departures as Lambert looks to trim a bloated squad.

He said of making additions in the coming weeks and months: "If you don't do it I think it becomes stale.

"We need to really kick on.

"It's not daunting, it's exciting to try and get people in. It's got to be the right ones.

"If we do that I'm pretty sure it'll be a little bit different next year."

While frustrated with the size of his squad – which he has called 'impossible' to properly work with, Lambert has no issues with the effort levels shown by the players.

He's seen improvements in some of them and again repeated that consistency has been Wolves' biggest problem.

"The players have been good, they're a really good group to work with," he said.

"They train really hard, they give everything they've got and that's all I can ask for.

"If they enjoy their football that's half the battle. I've not had any problems at all since I've been here.

"I think they've got better. I don't want footballers to have a mindset of just playing football. For me it's all about winning trophies and having success – that's football.

"To get there you've got to work really hard right through every game you play.

"They've been great. I couldn't ask any more out of them. We've just not been consistent enough.

"I think you've got to work on that and be strong with it.

"The kids have come through (as well) and had a go at it. I'm a great believer that if you're good enough it doesn't matter what age you are."

Wolves face Preston tomorrow with nothing to play for bar pride – and trying to send their supporters home happy after a chastening season, particularly at Molineux where Wolves have the third worst home record in the league.

Lambert, though, says no one has anything to prove tomorrow.

"I'm not going to take anything (from the game) as in what people can prove to me, I've seen it over the past few months," he added.

"I know what's needed and we'll see what happens.

"Preston will be tough. Simon's done well, they weren't far off it (the play-offs). Preston's a club where I think they've done it really well and had a good couple of years at it.

"From our point of view we're trying to win and that's what everyone wants to see.

"The fans have been fantastic since I've been here, absolutely brilliant. They want some more days like Fulham and Brentford, Stoke, Liverpool, Chelsea, that's what we want."

Andreas Weimann returns to the squad after being ineligible against parent club Derby last weekend.

Helder Costa, Carl Ikeme and Matt Doherty are still injured, but Andy Lonergan could feature against his old club after shaking off a back injury.