Kenny Jackett keen for Wolves winger Bakary Sako to stay put

Kenny Jackett today gave the biggest hint yet that Wolves could keep star winger Bakary Sako this season.

Wolves are braced for Premier League interest in the explosive Mali wideman, who has just a year left on his contract.

But they are keen for the 26-year-old to stay and are yet to hear from any interested parties.

And head coach Jackett has tipped Sako, who has scored 21 goals in 77 League games in his two seasons at Molineux, to stay at Wolves and have another impressive campaign.

"Sako is here, he's a good player who's settled at the club and I think he'll play well for us this season," said the boss.

"It will be exactly the same situation as before - he's a player who gets linked in the press and we understand that.

"But Bakary came back on Monday and there are no problems.

"The last game he played was for Mali against Croatia on May 31.

"He then had a couple of weeks off and then did his running programme and feels good.

"He was in early on Monday morning and took part in the 11-a-side and feels fine."

Jackett has a very healthy relationship with Sako, who recognises how the head coach has developed his game in the year they have worked together.

And that means the former St Etienne flier won't go seeking a move this summer, while Wolves say they would only sell to satisfy Sako's long-stated ambition to play in the Premier League.

Meanwhile, Kevin Foley is set to remain with the first-team squad for the time being.

The fit-again 29-year-old, who is into the final year of his contract, is available for transfer but has been identified as cover for both full-back positions this pre-season.

"He's been playing mostly left-back (in training) but he's a left-back or a right-back," said Jackett.

"There hasn't been (any interest) but he's started the season pretty well and has looked fit and in the sessions he's done OK.

"So we'll assess it and see how we go along.

"He came on at Preston in the first game of last season and played well at left-back and then had his injury problems, but he's good enough on the ball to play either full-back.

"He's certainly got the experience. But we also have Dominic Iorfa who has generally been brought up as a centre-back but played right-back for Shrewsbury last year at times."