Wolves to enter transfer market for new keeper if Ikeme gets injured

With Aaron McCarey out for three months after undergoing back surgery on Monday, Sedgley-based academy graduate Flatt has been thrust into the spotlight as understudy to Ikeme.

Head coach Jackett is happy for Flatt to be Ikeme's deputy, but won't risk the 20-year-old in the Championship.

"If Carl got injured on Thursday or Friday then it would be quite appealing to a number of people to come to Wolves and go straight into the team," said Jackett.

"So we'd be getting a more experienced or better quality goalkeeper (if Ikeme was injured) than someone who at present would be coming in as a number two.

"But I'm happy with Jon Flatt. At 20 he has a bright future – he played some games for us in pre-season and did OK.

"His progress is fine. Should Carl get injured for any period of time then that may change things.

"With goalkeepers, there is the standard of a number two that we could get now as opposed to the standard of a number one if Carl got injured."

With McCarey set to be out until the new year, Wolves could be left with only Ikeme and Flatt as their senior keepers for the busy festive period as the loan window closes from November 20 to when the transfer window opens again on January 1.

Jackett acknowledged: "Our only problem would then be when the window closes the third Thursday in November because we'd then have to be prepared to play Jon Flatt all the way through if Carl got injured.

"But at the moment, it's really good experience for Jon, he's really capable, he's definitely got a future and we're pleased with him."

The Wolverhampton-based shotstopper was involved in senior action in pre-season, playing 45 minutes of the friendly at Bohemians in Ireland then figuring for 20 minutes in the 2-2 draw at Peterborough.

Flatt, who has been with the club since he was eight, signed a new two-year deal with Wolves in August, with a 12-month option in the club's favour.