After swapping City for Black Country, Wolves' Hodge eager to bare teeth 

Once City's Scholar of the Year, Irish playmaker has endured some tough lessons in recent times. But he finally feels on the up

Still learning: Joe Hodge of Republic of Ireland U20's during the friendly match against the Ireland Amateur Selection this week. Pic: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

When the Premier League champions and your boyhood idols are dangling a contract extension, it takes a dollop of conviction to politely decline.

Joe Hodge had to leave sentiment aside for the sake of his career, moving on from Manchester City to a new beginning at Wolves last year.