FORMER Stoke City striker Chris Iwelumo has warned his Wolves team-mates that they need to be on their mettle if they are to take anything from the Staffordshire derby at the Britannia Stadium.

The Scotland international, who made over 100 appearances for the Potters during a four year stay, insists that City are a totally different proposition, having established themselves in the Barclays Premier League.

And he says that whilst it may be the players height and strength which often gets talked about, he insists there is so much more to his former club than that.

"All the matches in the Premier League are tough, but everyone knows when you go the Britannia you have got a battle on your hands," he says. "But Stoke aren't just that, they have got some very good flair players now as well. They have everything.

"I had many good years at Stoke and it will be good to go back. I'd hope to get a decent reception if I'm involved.

"I got promoted with the club and scored a few goals for them. They were good times but, while there's probably a few lads still there who were younger when I was at the club, most of the players have moved on now."

Iwelumo has recently returned from a long term injury lay-off after breaking a metatarsal in the build up to the new campaign. But after coming through ten minutes of Wolves' 1-1 draw with Aston Villa last weekend unscathed; he is hoping to feature on Saturday.

"It was brilliant to be back," he said. "It has been my longest period without football and over the last few weeks I've been integrated into training with the rest of the boys.

"It's been a long hard journey but I'm back now, and feeling good. Hopefully I can bring something to the table. The more minutes I'm getting the better I'm getting."

Iwelumo's team-mate Michael Kightly has backed up his claims and says Wolves are using Stoke's success as their benchmark.

"I think Stoke get tarnished with the brush of playing long ball a lot, but they've got good players and they are a good side. They have been in the Premier League longer than we have and they have spent quite a bit of money trying to strengthen their squad.

"They deserved to stay up last season and the way they are going at the moment, they look as if they're an established Premier League team. That is what we are hoping to do because they are a good team with a good manager who knows the game really well and knows how to get results."