Video: Kenny Jackett is hailing Nouha Dicko

Boss Kenny Jackett hailed returning striker Nouha Dicko after his goal earned Wolves a Boxing Day win at Watford.

The fit-again Mali international netted 12 minutes into the second half on his first start for more than two months.

And Jackett later admitted Wolves had not looked the same side while the 22-year-old has been sidelined with a hamstring problem.

"He was a threat, his power is good and when he has been out we have not looked the same side," he said.

"We need to make sure if we lose him again that as a club we are still strong enough to sustain competition.

"Our front three today were very good. We got into good positions and I felt we were a threat through the game.

"Those guys are big players for us and if we can keep them all fit and available then it has been a big part of the games we have won.

"It was Dicko's first start since October. In terms of the system we play he knows it very well and he is a key part of it."

Wolves should have won the game more comfortably but were denied in the first half by some brilliant goal-keeping from Watford shot-stopper Heurelho Gomes, while Dicko and Van La Parra also missed good chances.

It almost proved costly as substitute Odion Ighalo hit the bar twice late on for the hosts.

"I thought it was going to cost us," said Jackett. "We had a lot of chances and were pretty dominant. Nothing really much happened in the second half and then we got the goal, which I felt we deserved by that time.

"After that, Watford with their substitutions came back into it. I thought we showed fantastic character and heart. There were a lot of blocks to make sure we got the three points.

"I was pleased with the performance. Yes it crossed my mind that if you don't take your chances it can rebound on you but I still judge things on performance and if we can reach the level of performance consistently it gives you something to build on."

It was Jackett's first win as a head coach against his hometown club and several members of his family are season ticket holders at Vicarage Road.

"I'm sure they will be pleased for me but what they say behind my back, we'll have to see," he joked.