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James Henry still in contention at Wolves

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Winger James Henry was today told he is in contention to start the campaign for Wolves despite not being 'first pick' in pre-season.

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Henry, 25, joined a younger squad at Oxford for the last away friendly on Tuesday night after playing the final 25 minutes of Saturday's 1-0 win at Crewe.

The £250,000 wide man has generally been in boss Kenny Jackett's 'second starting XI' in pre-season, coming on either at half-time or late on in matches.

He is competing for a place with Bakary Sako, Michael Jacobs and Rajiv Van La Parra.

But head coach Jackett has assured the former Millwall wide man, who scored 10 goals in last season's League One promotion campaign, that he sees him predominantly starting games in the Championship.

"I think James Henry is a starter, but they're all battling for places," said Jackett.

"In truth it's very close and it could even be down to tactically what I do on the day.

"We have good competition in the wide areas which centres around Michael Jacobs – playing him either off the striker or wide – and then permutations of Bakary Sako, Rajiv Van La Parra and James Henry.

"There's not much to choose between them and they've got different strengths.

"Some are better at crossing, some are pacier, and we have some clever ones and ones who can play wide as well as behind the striker.

"It will give us good strength through the season and good substitutes, which are very important in terms of impact, pace and ability in the forward positions.

"James is a good player. I know what he's capable of, he's had a good start to his Wolves career and he'll be an asset to us this season," added Jackett.

"He's played, I'd think, about 100 Championship games and he's played well in that league.

"I see him very much as part of the plans."

Henry has targeted a repeat of his double-figure goals tally form last term and Jackett is all for it.

"If he can do that, great, because we want our wide men to score," he said.

"He showed he's capable of it.

"I've always felt he can score more goals and last season he did.

"So he has to continue with that because his shooting ability is very good."

Meanwhile, Wigan are being linked with a move for Leicester City and New Zealand international striker Chris Wood.

The 22-year-old appears to be surplus to requirements at the newly-promoted Premier League club.

Wigan boss Uwe Rosler, along with Jackett, are both being touted as possible suitors for the former Albion academy player.

With a ratio of a goal every four games at Championship level and 169 league games under his belt, plus 34 international caps, Wood has good experience but carries a £2m asking price.

The player enjoyed his most prolific spell when on loan at Millwall under Jackett, scoring 11 goals in 19 games.

If Jackett makes a signing up front it may be a loan deal initially. "We'd prefer our own players and a loan player we have a chance of signing at the end," said the Wolves boss.

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