Ward returned to the starting line-up after missing two games through injury

Wolves defender Stephen Ward believes the 3-2 win over Sunderland on Saturday was reward for a series of consistent performances in recent matches.

A late winner from Sylvan Ebanks-Blake gave Wolves only their third win of the season and moved Mick McCarthy's side to within three points of safety.

"We've deserved that win on the back of the last few weeks," Ward told BBC WM.

"It's important that, after getting that win, we don't get lacklustre now, that we stay sharp and we kick on."

Wolves trailed 2-1 with nine minutes remaining at Molineux, but Stephen Hunt grabbed an equaliser before Ebanks-Blake fired Wolves to victory.

We believe we can stay in this league if we keep playing the way we are and we stick to our plans Stephen Ward

They face a trip to Ewood Park to face Blackburn on Saturday before local derbies against Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion.

Wolves were five points adrift of 17th position before the win over Sunderland, but Ward believes the result will give everyone at the club fresh belief that they can avoid the drop.

"We've never lacked belief," he continued. "The gaffer instils that in us.

"We believe we can stay in this league if we keep playing the way we are and we stick to our plans.

"There's only one way to stay in this league and that's by playing to your strengths, so that's what we'll be trying to do."

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