Kenny Jackett happy with strong squad as Wolves prepare to face Cheltenham in pre-season friendly

Kenny Jackett today geared up for Wolves' return to action by insisting the current squad is the strongest he has ever worked with.

And while Kevin Doyle and Stephen Ward have rejoined the 'bomb squad', Kevin Foley and January signing Kortney Hause are included in tonight's first friendly at Cheltenham and in the 24-man party that departs for the pre-season tour of Ireland on Sunday.

Jackett is savouring the competition in every position.

"The 22 who have been working together – and I can put two people per position - are the strongest 22 I've had since I've been here," said Jackett.

"It's something that's needed - cover and competition, and it's the right thing."

Tonight's game is the first of three friendlies to be played by the same squad, with two friendlies in Ireland next week.

"Foley and Hause will both play the second half tonight and go to Ireland," said Jackett.

"We'll take an extra keeper and maybe one young player but after that it will be the lads who play at Cheltenham.

"Everybody will play 45 minutes each tonight.

"We'll be at full strength and I want to get to the stage where there's two good teams playing."

Jackett insists the 'second XI' that will play the second half tonight can challenge for a place in the Championship.

"They should be pushing the first team and I want it to be a good exercise," he said.

"They have to feel through that whenever they get their chance they're going to take it and be good enough."

Jackett is looking forward to seeing what centre-back Hause, who was signed from Wycombe in January, can do.

"He's a big strong lad, very quick and left footed," said the boss.

"He's benefitted from training with the first team and we'll see how he goes now on tour."

The Wolves boss claimed last week the football had been rusty since the squad's return.

But he's been delighted by the way they have come on this week in training.

"This week they've really improved and I'm looking forward to Cheltenham to see how we do, how the competition in the squad goes and try to get as good a 22 players as possible," he said.