TONY Smith believes the younger players within his Wolves squad are perfectly placed to shine in 2017.

Toby King and Dec Patton enjoyed their breakthroughs towards the back end of 2016, while the likes of Jack Johnson, Sam Wilde, Joe Philbin and Morgan Smith also impressed.

Prop Pat Moran and outside back Ryan Jones are also waiting in the wings for their chance in the new season.

Smith believes the youngsters who featured last year will be better for their experiences should they be required to step in again.

“I think all our young people are in a better place than they were last year,” he said.

“We would miss the experience of someone who has played many top level games if they go down injured for a while but the experience some of those guys got last year will help them enormously this year.

“It will give them a better understanding of what is required. They will have some good memories of last year and some that they will want to learn from and avoid.”

Smith also said a number of the young players had caught his eye with their performances in pre-season training.

“Some of the young boys have been brilliant, Joe Philbin has been in really good form and I think Toby King is another one that has caught the eye in the way that he has gone about his training since he’s returned,” he said.

“It’s hard to pick because so many have been good, there are a number of players I can add to that list.”