Ruddy flying again

JOHN RUDDY has a good idea about what it takes to win promotion from the Championship – and his experiences have left him convinced Wolves will be playing in the Premier League next season.

The Wolves goalkeeper helped Norwich reach the top flight twice, in 2011 and 2015.

And substitute Ryan Bennett’s stoppagetime winner reminded him of his days with the Canaries, as Wolves tightened their grip on top spot with a stunning fightback against promotion rivals Bristol City.

“I said to a few of the lads in the dressing room that in my first year at Norwich we won promotion because we had four or five games where we scored with the last

BRISTOL CITY

kick,” said Ruddy. “That’s no fluke. It’s due to desire, commitment and never-say-die attitude that you need to get into the Premier League and thankfully we’ve got loads of those qualities.

“I actually think this is a better group than both Norwich sides in terms of quality but the vital parallel is working our socks off for each other, sticking in there and going for it right until the very end.”

Ruddy and his team-mates had to dig deep because they were up against it after skipper Danny Batth was dismissed in the 14th minute for a studs-up challenge on Hordur Magnusson.

Bristol City took the lead in the 53rd minute through Bobby Reid but then had goalkeeper Frank Fielding sent off for upending Matt Doherty.

Barry Douglas beat replacement Luke Steele with the resultant free-kick before his set-piece was nodded in by Bennett for the winner.

Bristol City captain Bailey Wright was left to rue letting Wolves off the hook.

He said: “We’ve scored late winners against teams this season and so it hurts to be on the receiving end but we’ve got to use it to our advantage.

“It was a missed opportunity so there’s frustration because we felt comfortable at 1-0.”