Ikeme is an "inspiration", says Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo

Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo says former goalkeeper Carl Ikeme is an "inspiration" in his battle to beat leukaemia

The 32-year-old retired last month on medical grounds after spending 18 years at the Molineux club.

The Nigerian, who played 207 times for the Premier League new boys, is in "complete remission" after being diagnosed 13 months ago, but has been forced to quit because of the toll chemotherapy has taken on his body.

His No.1 shirt will remain unoccupied with new signing, Portuguese international Rui Patricio wearing No;.11 and John Ruddy opting for no.21 in the new campaign.

Nuno said: “Carl since last season has been an inspiration for us - an inspiration of the way he approached his disease, the way he overcome the problem that he had so Carl is and will always be a big inspiration for us. 

"He is our friend, he is someone that at any chance to join us, he comes here and speaks with the boys and speaks with us, so Carl is a strong man and big inspiration for us.”

“The way I speak about Carl, for sure, the No.1 shirt will always be Carl Ikeme’s shirt.

“Yes, it was Rui Patricio’s choice to wear the No.11 shirt.”

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Image: Getty Images/ David Rogers

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