Michael Jacobs battling for a Wolves place

Wolves boss Kenny Jackett today admitted midfielder Michael Jacobs is unlucky to find himself battling for a place in the club's match-day squad.

Jacobs, one of the stars of last season's League One title-winning campaign, was left out of the 18 for the first time for Saturday's 1-0 Molineux win against Bolton.

But Jackett is full of sympathy for the former Derby man, who admitted this week that he has failed to do enough in his one start and six substitute appearances this season.

"He's been unlucky not to play," said Jackett. "On Saturday I went for an extra forward in Liam McAlinden because at some stage I could see myself putting Leon Clarke behind McAlinden.

Combinations

"That was the reason for leaving one of the wingers out. Unfortunately, Mike was one of the odd players out but they were quite difficult decisions.

"If you're looking at the 18 involved on Saturday and then Jacobs and Ethan Ebanks-Landell, it's quite close between all of them. There's no stand-out very poor player in that group and they're quite close ability wise. But we've got everyone fit at the moment which is a good situation to be in and unfortunately two of those 20 don't get changed.

"Next week we could need different combinations depending on how things are positionally and how people look in the week.

"He was unlucky but any two out of those 20 could be thinking 'I could quite easily be in' and that's the way I want it.

"It will turn out positively for Mike and for all of those players who, if you like, are numbers 12 to 20. What they have to be is ready to take their chance when it comes and keep the other players out."

Another winger, James Henry, started the season out of the team but has held down a place in recent weeks at the expense of summer signing Rajiv Van La Parra, who began the campaign in red-hot form.

And Jackett reckons Henry is a perfect example for Jacobs to follow.

Jackett said: "James has played very well since losing his place first off and his challenge now is to continue that because he has the likes of Michael Jacobs and Rajiv Van La Parra ready to step in

"Also I think there are times when in the desire for maximum energy, maybe you need to change one or two players, because substitutions definitely change games.

"It's important you have a good team – that's the most important thing – but then those boys from the outside can just give you that little extra edge."

Henry revealed this week that a crackdown on his diet with fitness coach Tony Daley had helped inspire his improved form.

And Jackett said: "I've been pleased with his form – it was maybe a shock and a surprise to him that he didn't start the season after the way he played last year.

"But then once you have that surprise or bit of anger in there, what are you going to do about it?

"That's football– you have to then be resilient and he's reacted in the right way, got his place back and the big one now is he has to keep hold of it.

"But the quality of his deliveries have been very good and stats wise he's probably been our most consistent crosser of a ball. He's been lively and without being blessed with any great pace, he's a very tricky winger, and can deliver a ball around the full-back."

Meanwhile, Jackett has lent his support to defender Danny Batth after he conceded penalties in the club's last two home games.

Against Bolton, Batth dived in on substitute Jermaine Beckford, only for keeper Carl Ikeme to save the resultant spot-kick.

Jackett said: "I don't think I can be nit-picking at my defence which has been very good. To get any better than what we have so far would be difficult and we want to keep that going. It's a thin dividing line between constructive criticism to improve and criticism for the sake of it. The team, defensively, has been hard to break down and it hasn't been easy for the opposition to get one person away and overload us."