EVERYONE at Molineux is determined to put the disappointment of last season behind them and finally win promotion, according to assistant boss John Ward.

But it has been a frustrating start to the season for the man who was number two to Adrian Heath during his reign at Turf Moor.

Back in May he had one hip replaced and a coupe of weeks ago he had the second one done as he sought to repair the damage caused by a life in the game.

Ward, who played alongside Clarets' assistant boss Sam Ellis at Lincoln City for four years, said: "I have had trouble with arthritis and I knew I had to do something.

"It has been strange not going away on the pre-season tour and last Sunday's match at Bradford was the first I have missed in 14 years.

"But I was at the game against Walsall on Wednesday and I will be having an input with my view from the stands before getting back to work next month."

It was a winning start to the home campaign for the side that blew promotion and Ward acknowledges how important that was.

"There is pressure at every club, Stan has it at Burnley, but we know we are expected to win at Wolves," he said.

"And it is vital for us to have a good start because of what we went through last season. The players have got to show us they are not looking back but looking forward. We can't dwell on what has been and gone.

"Last season was deemed a failure but we got more points than any other year since the club got back to the first division, we had one of the best defensive records and one of the best goals totals but we understand why it is seen as a bad season.

"We'll never forget last year, it is down in the history books, but we are moving on as a club."

Ward admitted that was one reason why the experienced duo of Denis Irwin and Paul Ince have been brought in by Dave Jones and he feels their presence will be vital.

"No one need tell either of them about being winners," he said. "Perhaps we were a bit short of players with their experience last time."

Ince, who missed a lot of pre-season, has yet to start a game and will get no closer than the bench tomorrow as Jones is expected to name an unchanged side for the third successive game.

Ward will again be in the directors' box, on his crutches but itching to get back on the training ground. Burnley fans are sure to wish him, if not his team, well.