
Wayne Hennessey insists he is ready to battle to earn a starting berth with both Wales and Wolves.
The 22-year-old won his 18th international cap last Friday in the friendly victory over Estonia, but only came on as a second-half substitute after Hull City's Boaz Myhill was preferred in the starting line-up.
And it seems he also faces a fight for Wolves' starting spot, given boss Mick McCarthy is looking for another experienced goalkeeper ahead of the upcoming season in the Premier League.
But Hennessey insists he is ready for the challenges ahead, saying: "I hear the manager (McCarthy) is going to bring in some new players, maybe a goalkeeper, but I will have to handle that.
"That is up to him. If he brings in a keeper there is nothing I can do. I will just keep doing my best and hope I get selected.
"I was left out for a while at Wolves this season, but I fought my way back into the team and that has given me even greater incentive to stay in the side when the Premier League comes around.
"I had that little 'enforced' rest mid-season and did not enjoy the experience. There is nothing worse for a goalkeeper than sitting on the bench.
"The manager never really explained that to me, but I got back in and we won promotion. Now I am looking forward to the Premier League."
As for starting against Azerbaijan in Baku for Wales on Saturday, Hennessey added: "Boaz and me are competing for the place, but I would expect nothing less.
"Promotion has given me a real boost. Now at the end of the season I have the chance of a couple of games for Wales. I just love playing for my country."
But if selected to play in Baku, Hennessey knows it will be tough.
"Azerbaijan will be difficult," he said. "People keep saying we are expected to win, but there's a lot of youngsters in the side now and they (Azerbaijan) did pretty well when they came to the Millennium Stadium (Wales won 1-0 last September). This will not be easy.
"We cannot qualify for the finals, but we want to finish the group on a high. There's a few more young lads in this squad, and there is more chance now for people to develop.
"We have a few who have played at this level for a couple of years, and there's another wave of kids now emerging.
"It all bodes well for 2012 and the next tournament. A lot of the youngsters will have a couple of years of Premier League football under their belts and we really have to make a big effort next time around."
Hennessey added he can not wait to play in the Premier League next season.
"I suppose it won't have sunk in until I see the fixtures when they come out in the summer," he said.
"There's no fear, just excitement. I have played against top players for Wales so I am not overawed.
"It will be a difficult season, it happens to all promoted sides. But look at Hull and Stoke, they both went up and stayed there.
"Why can't we do that? It has been proved it is not impossible."

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