Bakary Sako's probable Wolves parting call

Bakary Sako today urged Wolves to keep the Benik Afobe-Nouha Dicko partnership together to secure their Premier League dream.

The out-of-contract winger bid what looked like a tearful farewell at Molineux on Saturday after the 4-2 win against Millwall, which saw Wolves miss out on a play-off spot in seventh.

Sako, who has offers from Albion, Villa and other Premier League clubs, scored and set up goals for Dicko – whose brace took his tally to 14 in the league – and Ethan Ebanks-Landell.

But the 27-year-old wants to see Dicko and Afobe, who has netted 13 goals in 21 games since his £2million move from Arsenal in January, kept to terrorise the Championship next season.

Sako said: "I think it's very important to keep them – Wolves should build a team around the two strikers because they're both young and two of the best strikers in the league.

"The partnership between them is excellent and generally whenever we played, myself, Benik or Nouha scored. So they're really good for the team.

"They can be only better – they're only 22 so they have a lot of time and I hope Wolves will keep them and build on their partnership for next season.

"If they do, Wolves already have a good team and a base so maybe they need to add one or two players to make the team stronger.

"But the team has everything here to get to the Premier League."

Afobe has ended his season with 32 goals after 19 on loan at Milton Keynes Dons in League One and Sako wants a repeat next term.

He said: "I hope so – it will be tough – but he's done really well for us and for MK Dons," he said. "But he's a really good goalscorer and Wolves must keep hold of him."

Sako has been a big crowd favourite and he thanked the fans after the support they have given him over the last three years.

He said: "The supporters have been amazing, awesome – it's difficult to describe because you have to experience it.

"But I really hope Wolves are going to get back in the Premier League because they deserve it.

"I'm thankful to the fans and the staff because they've given that confidence to give 100 per cent every time I've played."

Sako has scored 36 goals in 118 league games for Wolves since signing from St Etienne for £2.5m, as a replacement for Matt Jarvis.

It's an impressive record for a winger and it's one he is proud of, saying: "I'm really pleased with my record and playing for the club has brought me a lot of joy.

"I've always been happy to play for Wolves. I'd still be happy to play here because this is a big club but I don't know what I'm going to do – we'll see."

But he hinted that now may be the time to leave after Wolves failed to make the play-offs.

He said: "When I came to Wolves, I came to play in the Premier League and I thought we were going to get back there straight away but we didn't.

"I was disappointed but I stuck with the team in League One and helped them to get back in the Championship. We tried our best to get into the Premier League this season but we were very unlucky.

"We have to look forward to next season but I think the team can be better next time."

Sako's game has improved under Kenny Jackett and he praised the head coach for giving him confidence to perform so well.

He said: "He's given me 100 per cent confidence so that's why I wanted to give my best for him and for the club.

"All the staff have been brilliant with me – they know I can help the team but it's only because they have given me that confidence and I'm very pleased with that."

Sako is disappointed he can't extend his season with Wolves and believes they are unlucky after amassing the highest total at this level without making the play-offs.

He said: "We tried our best to get into the play-offs so it was disappointing not to get in there. We dropped points over the season but we did our best and we're very unlucky.

"I tried to do my best in the last game of the season. I was lucky I scored and I got two assists so that was good for me as well and the team.

"I was pleased with how I played over the season, but I was really sad too because I don't know what I'm going to do yet.

"I have mixed feelings – pleased with my season but disappointed to miss out on the play-offs."

Team-mate Dicko admits the time is right for Sako to leave Wolves and realise his Premier League dream. He believes his close friend and team-mate deserves a crack at top-flight football.

Dicko said: "Of course as a team-mate I wish for him to stay but, as a friend, I wish him to have something better maybe now.

"He's done great for the team, but hopefully he can go somewhere in the Premier League.

"If he does I'll wish him all the best because he's at the peak of his career and he has to be in the Premier League now. I think he deserves it."

Dicko's brace saw him finish his first full campaign at Wolves on 14 league goals and 15 in all competitions, level with Sako's 15 which have all been scored in the Championship.

But the 22-year-old is confident he can better his total next season, saying: "I'm joint top scorer with Bakary.

"It's a good feeling to feel you've done a good job, that you're an important player. But I think there's more to come next season. I will score more goals here."

And Dicko believes his partnership with Afobe can fire Wolves to promotion next season, saying: "Benik has been in great form.

"I hope that continues because he's been fantastic this season I''m sure with him we'll be one of the teams to watch next season for promotion."

Wolves' total of 78 points is the highest in second-tier history to miss out on the play-offs.

Dicko admitted the players are unhappy, but relieved to sign off on a high after successive wins.

He said: "We're disappointed because we were so close,. But it's been a good season. It could have been worse – we could have finished with a draw or a loss.

"But we won. That was what we wanted to give to the fans – a win, to finish on a high.

"Even if we are disappointed it's good to finish with three points."