Kortney Hause desperate for Wolves chance

But for a number of players in their sizeable squad, the picture has been one of frustration in terms of playing time.

Nuno Espirito Santo has made fewer changes to his league XI than any other head coach this season, meaning a string of talented – and proven – players haven't had a look-in of late.

One of those is Kortney Hause. The defender, while delighted for his team mates and the club in general at their exceptional Championship form, is desperate to play a bigger part in it all.

Today's FA Cup clash with Swansea, then, represents a big opportunity for the centre half, if, as expected, he's given a chance to impress.

"It's been quite hard and frustrating for me," Hause said of his season so far.

"The team's doing well and I'm happy for the club and my team mates but like every player you want to play week in, week out.

"If I get the chance I'm confident because I've been working and training hard and I'm focused. I'm confident I will take (my chance).

"A big part of it is not getting too disheartened when you're not involved because you never know when you're going to be selected.

"You need to stay mentally positive and be ready.

"It is tough, every player that isn't playing would be frustrated. If you're not frustrated something's wrong.

"I'd like to think I train hard every day, I'm focused and I'm listening to the manager and the coaching staff and improving my game.

"That will only set me in good stead when I do get my opportunity. I'm working hard and I'm ready."

If Hause needs a template for what could happen he need look no further than Ryan Bennett, who barely featured in the opening weeks but since coming into the team in late October has taken his chance and been a fixture in the XI.

Hause said the squad's six senior centre halves were all learning from each other in training.

"We're all very supportive of each other," he added. "It's like the whole team, we all work hard, the gaffer demands that we train as we play so training is very intense and serious. There's no messing about.

"It's only going to get us ready for the games.

"You just have to stay ready, you never know when you'll be called upon.

"We're trying to do big things this season so the gaffer hasn't got time for players getting to know the pace of the game or the league.

"When you come in you have to hit the ground running otherwise there are other players ready to step up to the plate."

Hause made his first league appearance of the campaign when coming on as a late substitute during Tuesday's 3-0 win over Brentford.

He admitted it was a strange feeling to be back out there again.

"It's been very long since my last game (in the league) on the last day of last season against Preston at home," he said.

"To come on, even though it was just a little bit of the game, I was still quite pleased with it.

"You get a feel for things again. When you've been out for that long...you don't second guess yourself or question can you do it, it just feels a bit weird. It was a good feeling.

"I wouldn't say nervous, I don't get nervous! It was just weird because it's been so long since I played at Molineux in front of all the fans, it was a good atmosphere. It was quite a surprise to me to be fair, but it went well."

Hause's only start this season was in the Carabao Cup game at Manchester City when he gave an impressive display in helping Wolves take the country's best team all the way to penalties.

Wolves will now look to enjoy another cup run, this time in the FA Cup.

"The FA Cup is a great competition," the 22-year-old said.

"As a club, despite doing so well in the league we also want to do well in the cups.

"Any game we play we want to do well, impress the fans and do well for the club.

"Swansea are a good side. Everyone goes through rough patches but there's still a long way to go in the Premier League, if they stay positive they can turn things around, they've got some good players and a good squad.

"I'm not really looking at where they are in the table."