Express & Star

Spanish test is ideal for Wolves

Wolves believe tomorrow's arrival of Spanish side Celta Vigo presents the ideal opposition to prepare them for the Championship.

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Eight days before the second tier welcomes them back for the big kick-off against Norwich, Kenny Jackett's side make a step up in class for their final warm-up game prior to the action beginning for real.

The arrival of foreign – and particularly Spanish – opposition for a showpiece Molineux friendly as the highlight of pre-season a week before the campaign starts has become a regular feature of Wolves build-ups in recent years.

In 2009 Wolves lost 2-0 to Real Valladolid, and the following season they beat Athletic Bilbao 2-1 and then Real Zaragoza 2-0 in 2011.

Last summer saw Kenny Jackett's first game at Molineux finish in an entertaining 3-2 defeat at the hands of Real Betis.

But for all the quality Vigo – who finished ninth in La Liga last season before losing manager Luis Enrique to Barcelona – will bring, it's their ability to change systems during matches that will replicate the current 'vogue' of the Championship.

"It's an exciting game – Celta Vigo will be a tough test," said head of football development Kevin Thelwell.

"They will bring a possession-based style of play which should make for a really good game.

"They will bring something different and I'm sure they will change their formation at some stage, which will be what we're going to have to prepare for the following week.

"And from what I've seen of all the other Championship teams preparing for the season, they're all being much more flexible in their play.

"I've seen a lot of them a couple of times now and they've started with one system then changed systems during a game.

"So I think that's what we're going to see a lot of this season, and on that basis, Celta Vigo will be a really good test for us."

Thelwell echoes the mood of head coach Jackett and the players in that he is itching to get cracking at Molineux after the summer break.

"It's a case of getting back in the saddle and getting ready for the big kick-off," he said.

"I think we're all very excited about the match because it draws us that much closer to the season becoming a reality."

Jackett is intrigued to see how the players adapt to the step up in class after playing six friendlies against League One, League Two and League of Ireland opposition so far.

"We've been to grounds where we've been previously and it's been a pre-season where we haven't necessarily played above ourselves," said the boss.

"Celta Vigo are in the Spanish top flight and come to us after having played Norwich tonight.

"They'll probably be here with 25 to 30 players and will mix it up like we all do in pre-season.

"It's a great game for us and the biggest factor is it's at Molineux.

"We're looking forward to playing on our pitch in front of our fans against a very good team."

As tradition dictates, Jackett will play as close to his first-choice starting XI for the Norwich game as possible.

Winger Bakary Sako is expected to have shaken off a groin problem that has kept him out of the last two friendlies.

Only the Billy Wright and Stan Cullis Stands will be open for tomorrow's game.

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