Duo relish Premier test

Jones will return to Southampton on 13 September

Wolves boss Dave Jones said he could not wait for the start of the season after finding out his side's Premiership fixtures on Thursday.

Wolves mark their return to England's top flight after a 19-year exile with a trip to Blackburn on 16 August

Jones, who managed Southampton in the Premiership from 1997 to 2000, said: "I'm glad to be back and to be able to pit myself against the best again.

"The Premiership is the only place to be and Blackburn away, the first game, is a bit of history for the club."

Jones admitted the Division One play-off winners would need to strengthen their squad to "give ourselves a chance" of staying up.

"We have a board meeting next week and I'll give them a list of names and see who we can get in," he said.

Jones is also keen to keep experienced duo Paul Ince and Denis Irwin.

"I'll speak to them over the next few days and I want them to stay because they can help the youngsters and whoever we bring in."

We have to spend money and bring in five, six or seven quality players Milan Mandaric

Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey admitted it "feels wonderful" to be in the Premiership.

"I have in my hand something Wolves fans been waiting 19 years for, a fixture list that says Wolves are in the Premiership.

"We've gone into overdrive preparing for the new season. We haven't stopped since the day after our play-off win."

Portsmouth, who won Division One last season, play host to Aston Villa in their opening game.

Pompey chairman Milan Mandaric admitted success for the champions would be finishing above the bottom three.

"The celebration at the end of next season would be for staying up," Mandaric said. "To have those magic 40-plus points - that would be success for us."

Mandaric will fund Portsmouth's recruitment drive

Like Wolves, Portsmouth are trying to remain realistic about their prospects after 15 years out of the top flight.

But Mandaric admits he is happy with an opening set of fixtures that sees them play Villa, Manchester City, Bolton and Wolves in the first month.

"We have to keep in mind we came out of the First Division, and we had been there for some time," he added.

"But we are very happy with the fixtures, especially in the beginning - it could have been a lot worse. There are some teams where we might have a chance."

Sheringham set for Pompey talks

Manager Harry Redknapp has already brought in former Liverpool midfielder Patrik Berger, with Teddy Sheringham set for talks next week after leaving Tottenham.

Mandaric added: ""Harry's meeting Teddy in the first part of next week and we believe we can make progress there. He is very much interested.

"We have to spend money and have to bring in five, six or seven quality players. Harry has got the green light but he is not rushing in."