Former Wolves skipper relishing chance to face his boyhood club

Batth made over 200 appearences for Wolves and captained the club during their promotion season to the Premier League in 2017-18.

But Batth didn't appear in the top flight under Nuno Espirito Santo and went on loan to Middlesbrought before joining Stoke City on a permanent deal.

“I’m excited for the game as I’ve not had the opportunity to play against Wolves since I left,” said Batth.

“I’m looking forward to it and it’s the FA Cup, so we’ll embrace it.

“Wolves was home. I came all the way through the academy and I was fortunate to play for the first team, captain the first team and go on to see some success.

The 34-year-old went on to play for Sunderland and Norwich City before signing a one-year-deal with Blackburn last summer.

“It was a brilliant spell (at Wolves) and it’s a place I’d call home," continued Batth.

"When you’re from the area and play for your local team, it means so much. It was a really good period of my career and a time I look back on fondly.

“The academy there has been excellent over the years and there have been so many players to have come through to play in the first team.

“It’s harder to get players through now they’re in the Premier League, but it’s something they’re still working hard with, which I saw when I was there in the summer.

“It was and is a great club to be part of. I gave everything for the team when I was playing and still keep in touch with the people there.”