Wolves head coach Kenny Jackett: Loan can help Zeli Ismail be a star

Zeli Ismail was today told he could still star for Wolves as he prepared to complete his loan move to Aberdeen.

The Scottish League Cup holders want the 20-year-old winger until Christmas, and with Wolves in full agreement, the switch was set to be announced today.

"Kevin Thelwell (head of football development) has talked to Zeli and it sounds like an interesting proposition," said head coach Kenny Jackett. "Russ Richardson (Aberdeen's head of recruitment) has seen all the games he's played in for our Under-21s and at Burton on loan and Derek McInnes is of course aware of him as well.

"If they can get him registered today, he has a chance of being involved in the Europa League, where they play Groningen in the next round."

Ismail is into the last year on his contract, and, with four older and more experienced wingers ahead of him, his Molineux prospects look uncertain.

But Jackett believes he can follow in the footsteps of recent Wolves signings and see his time come.

"I think he still can," said the boss. "Look at some of our signings – at 20, 21, they didn't quite make it and they had to go away and come back a couple of years later.

"Scott Golbourne and Kevin McDonald are two examples, and Michael Jacobs had played 160 games before he joined us and the majority of those were in League Two.

"We feel it's right to wait longer given their experience can be beneficial to the club."

And Jackett believes Ismail will have the platform to flourish on at born-again Aberdeen.

"It's exciting for him – there's something like 14,000 season ticket holders there," said the head coach. "They're in the Europa League and they have the games against Celtic, for which they will be watched by fantastic attendances."

"I'd suggest it will be a very good experience for him."