Stephen Hunt has a dream and a goal to help erase his disappointment at being out of the Wolves team recently.

The Irish winger insists tonight’s FA Cup third-round replay against Birmingham is about putting a smile back on his face with a good performance, scoring in open play – and helping fulfil a lifelong desire to win a major trophy.

Hunt is one of several stars, including Kevin Doyle, currently out of favour who get the chance to stake their claim for a Premier League place in the clash against Blues. The 30-year-old said there’s nothing to prove to manager Mick McCarthy, but plenty to himself.

“I didn’t play against Chelsea because I played against Bolton so that was understandable,” he said.

“Then I didn’t start at Tottenham on Saturday which was disappointing because I felt I did a good job when we had a similar game at Arsenal.

“But it happens and you have to get on with it. The manager knows what the players coming in can do.

“All the players playing tonight can do a good job, if not better than the ones in the team.

“It’s up to us as individuals to put on a performance for ourselves to make ourselves feel better.

“It’s about going out there and showing form to a good level and that’s what I’m looking to do.

“I’m looking forward to this game. I haven’t played since the last tie apart from half-hour at Spurs, so I want to make an impression.”

Having failed to score from open play since his ‘£80m goal’ against Blackburn kept Wolves in the Premier League last May, Hunt’s three strikes this season have all been from the penalty spot.

He added: “Those playing are looking to impress and I want to score from open play – that’s my aim tonight.

“I should have had more but one or two keepers have made wonder saves, but at least I’m getting in there looking like I’m going to score.

“If I can keep getting into the six-yard box I can hopefully score the three or four goals I get in that area every season. I’ve no doubt I’ll do it this time as well.”

And after making it third time lucky when he avoided the drop in May after going down with Reading and Hull, Hunt wants some silverware.

“It’s great trying to avoid relegation and it gives a great sense of relief when it happens, but in terms of achievements, winning a trophy is something to be proud of,” he said. “Only one team can win the FA Cup – it’s a dream but hopefully we can be part of it. That would be something to be proud of.

“To get to a cup final and to win it would be massive.”

For all those reasons, Hunt is treating tonight’s game like any other. And, with a trip to League One side Sheffield United awaiting the winners, he believes the draw could open up favourably.

“You can get a long way quickly with a couple of handy draws,” he said.

“But we haven’t had an easy draw because Birmingham are a tough side to beat and they’re full of confidence at the moment after winning 6-0 against Millwall at the weekend. I’m not so sure what team they’ll put out but we’ll be fairly strong and looking to win the game.”

Hunt admits he’s hoping for a more entertaining game than the 0-0 draw at St Andrew’s 11 days ago.

“It can only get better!” he said. “I thought the first game was hopeless and I wasn’t too much better either. Neither team wants extra-time and hopefully it will be a better game than the last one.

“It can’t get much worse than that so I hope it’s an open game, although normally Wolves-Birmingham games are quite tight.”

McCarthy will make multiple changes for tonight’s tie, but Hunt is convinced the strength of the squad could sustain a Cup run as well as a successful fight to stay up.

“We have a decent-sized squad. I don’t think we’re lacking in any positions and everyone can do a job, so for the ones playing tonight it’s about them doing well and getting the job done,” he said.

See also:

• Kevin Doyle backed to get back on the boil for Wolves
• Mick McCarthy blast for red card gestures
• Scoring record is target for hot-shot Steven Fletcher