Kenny Jackett throws down promotion gauntlet

Wolves today began their first prolonged foreign pre-season trip for six years with Kenny Jackett laying down the promotion gauntlet to his players.

The squad were training in the Clairefontaine academy – home to the French national team – ahead of their first pre-season game on Wednesday against FC Chambly.

Head coach Jackett says promotion – either via the top two or through the play-offs – is very much the aim next season after Wolves went agonisingly close to the Championship play-offs last time around.

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And the boss also revealed his personal motivation for getting to the Premier League for what would be the first time as a manager or head coach.

"I'd love to do it, personally," Jackett said.

"I've been in a coaching capacity in the Premier League at two clubs – Manchester City and Watford – but not as a manager.

"I've been in every other division. The Premier League is where everybody wants to be. I'm pleased to be in the Championship with Wolves and we're very much looking for one of those three promotion places.

"We're certainly not underestimating the size of the task."

The league campaign starts four weeks on Saturday with Wolves' trip to Blackburn Rovers. They are among the Championship title favourites, as high as fourth with some bookies behind Derby, Hull and Middlesbrough.

And Jackett believes that despite increased expectations and some strong teams coming into the league, Wolves won't necessarily find the division more difficult than last season.

"Everyone starts on zero again whether you've coming down from the Premier League or come up from League One," Jackett said.

"We understand we've got to earn every single point.

"It's going to be a tough ask to do it but it's something we want to achieve."