He may have the pressure of a £2.3million price tag and the expectations of the Molineux faithful on his young shoulders but new Wolves acquistion Christophe Berra says he can handle it.
The former Hearts skipper made the cross-border move in the last weekend of the January transfer window and has urged supporters to give him five games to settle in.
Berra was a long time target of manager Mick McCarthy and may get his chance to slot straight into the side due to face Coventry at the Ricoh Arena tomorrow with the back four under scrutiny after leaking sloppy goals.
Berra, 24, said: “There is always pressure on a new signing coming into a new club because of the expectation levels and it may take five or ten games for me to settle in but I am looking forward to it.”
The Scottish international knows he may be expected to take to the role in a matter of days rather than weeks however with Wolves eager to secure their defences as they face the home straight and he insists he can cope with that.
“At Hearts I played centre half for a long time and played with numerous players on my left and right side,” he explained.
“Obviously there were a lot of selection problems before so I am used to having new players around me. I have also played for Scotland with different players so hopefully I can adapt quickly.”
Berra may be a hot tip for the starting line up but says he knows he cannot expect to just walk into the side with players like his Scotland team-mate Neill Collins and Jason Shackle having played in the role left vacant by loan star Michael Mancienne’s return to Chelsea.
“I came down here to play but I know I can’t just walk into the side, “Berra said. “Hopefully I can impress by working hard on the training ground but Wolves have been doing ever so well and I know it isn’t easy to come and step into a winning team.
“If I get the chance however I plan to show I can bring some qualities to the team.”
Midfielder Michael Kightly is confident he will be fit for the trip to the Ricoh Arena despite being hampered with a shoulder injury.
The 21-year-old youngster was forced from the field after just 30 minutes of Tuesday’s 3-3 draw with Norwich at Molineux with a shoulder injury.
“I got the injury in the Reading game,” he explained.
“I fell on it and it was quite tender after the match.
“It’s been a bit sore since then but I was okay when we played Watford.
“I’m not too sure what happened on Tuesday but I was challenged from the front and the back and it was very painful. I tried to carry on but I couldn’t. ”
Kightly, who has been called up to join England Under 21s who play Ecuador in a friendly in Spain on Tuesday, added: “I have had a scan and we are just waiting for the results but I should be alright. I certainly hope so anyway.”
