McCarey ready to 'knuckle down' at Wolves

Monaghan native Aaron McCarey says he is ready to put in the hard yards needed to wrestle the title of first-choice goalkeeper away from current Wolverhampton Wanderers number one Carl Ikeme.

Over the past twelve or so months, the Irish U21 international's star has risen considerably at Molineux. Last September he made his first-team debut for the club in a Johnstone Paints Trophy

tie with Walsall before signing a new two-and-a-half year contract with the West Midlands outfit.

Following a short period on loan to League Two York City, McCarey returned to Wolves in January where an injury to Ikeme saw him handed a run of five consecutive starts by manager Kenny Jackett.

However, despite keeping three clean sheets in five of these games, the return of Ikeme from injury saw the Farney County man consigned to the position of second choice goalkeeper.

Nonetheless, McCarey is hopeful that if he continues to show a combination of patience and perseverance, a starting berth will eventually fall his way again.

''It's always going to be difficult to break into the team when you've someone like Carl to compete with'' he told ExtraTime.ie.

''He's a fantastic goalkeeper and has been with the club quite a while now.

''All I can do for the moment is knuckle down and do my best to impress the manager as much as possible in pre-season.

''If I can do that, then hopefully I'll be rewarded.''

McCarey arrived at Molineux in January 2010 having signed from Monaghan United, a club he had played with since he was eight. Having rose through the ranks at Gortakeegan, Mick Cooke handed the former St. Macartan's student his League of Ireland debut at the tender age of 17. McCarey says he will be forever grateful to both Cooke and Mons for the part they played in launching his career.

''Monaghan played a huge part in me being where I am today.

''Being given the chance by Mick Cooke to play League of Ireland football at 17 played a massive part in my development as a goalkeeper.

''On top of putting me in the shop window, that kind of experience and responsibility at such a young age really brought me on leaps and bounds.''