Express & Star

Kenny Jackett is eager to keep trialist

Wolves boss Kenny Jackett believes Villa youngster Jordan Graham could be the latest addition to their Under-21 squad.

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The 19-year-old on-trial midfielder scored one and set up the other three goals in Tuesday's 4-2 Birmingham Senior Cup win at Stratford Town.

Graham, who has represented England at Under-16s and 17s, is available after coming through the ranks at Villa, where he was part of their 2013 NextGen Series-winning side.

And head coach Jackett reckons he could become the latest Premier League recruit to win a chance at Wolves after former Chelsea winger Conor Hunte.

"He's done quite well on trial and there's a possibility of something happening," said Jackett. "We'll see but he wouldn't come into the first-team group, he'd go into the under-21s."

Jackett believes several of Scott Sellars' development group could soon be challenging for senior places.

"There are a few youngsters doing very well in the Under-21s and that's fantastic," he said. "If we could improve on any of those 20 with a player from below, we'll try to do that."

Left winger Hunte, 18, is one of those who has caught the eye. "Conor Hunte and Ryan Rainey play regularly in the Under-21s even though they're youth-team age," said Jackett.

"Both have held their own and done OK in the Under-21s.

"If they can have a really good season, hopefully this time next year they will be that much further ahead and closer to the first team."

Meanwhile, a survey this week showed that Wolves offer some of the cheapest top-of-the-range matchday tickets in the Championship while their lowest-priced adult season ticket is in the top half of the table for value for money in the second tier.

Jackett commented: "The television deal has taken the finances of football into another sphere. It's been two-fold – the popularity of the game and the development of stadiums, which cost a lot of money to maintain, develop and improve. Those cost money but I'm sure if suddenly football wasn't so popular, perhaps the prices would be adjusted."

n Wolves have appointed Laurie Dalrymple as the club's new head of commercial affairs with responsibilities including main club sponsors, strategic partnerships, advertising, matchday hospitality, retail and non-matchday conference and banqueting. He has spent almost two years as international sales director, having previously worked for Coventry's Ricoh Arena and Wembley Stadium.

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