Sam Ricketts still very much in Wolves plans

Wolves captain Sam Ricketts can still win a new contract – despite being frozen out so far this season.

The 32-year-old is out of contract at the end of this campaign.

Head coach Kenny Jackett has previously said he wants to extend Ricketts's deal as he believes the Wales international can play until he's 40.

Ricketts, who was sent back from the Wales camp with a hip flexor injury last week, hasn't kicked a ball in the Championship yet after losing his place to Matt Doherty.

But Jackett, who has kept the same line-up for the first five games, believes his skipper can still earn new terms to extend his stay at Molineux.

"I wouldn't rule it out that Sam Ricketts will earn a new contract during the course of this season," said the boss.

"It's something we might look at. The fact he's 32 coming up to 33 doesn't worry us– it will solely be based on performance.

"Since he's been at the club he's performed very well."

Like the other regulars last season currently forced into a watching brief on the bench James Henry and Michael Jacobs, Ricketts has accepted the situation with good grace.

"He hasn't wavered in anything he's done and has been a real team man and a club man," said Jackett.

"Sam knows this can happen in football and he's coped very professionally. All of the players that have been out of the side have said to me that the lads have done well.

"Generally when they do that you're OK, but when you're at the wrong end of the league that can be different."

Jackett added: "I've picked the same side in the league so far but it's very close in a number of positions.

"Sam could come into the team and it wouldn't be any weaker and that's good, although slightly frustrating for him.

"He's been really professional and I wouldn't expect anything else from him.

"In terms of distribution you won't get anyone better playing out from the back but he's not finished as a full-back either.

"We saw against Northampton he scored an excellent goal from left-back, cutting inside and hitting it with his right foot.

"Right along the back four, he's competition for all of them."