Forward thinking for Wolves' van La Parra

Dutchman Rajiv van La Parra has been backed to flourish for Wolves – as a striker.

The 24-year-old enjoyed a promising debut season in gold and black after joining from SC Heerenveen.

Playing predominantly on the right flank, van La Parra chipped in with eight assists, most of them in the second half of the campaign.

He scored just one goal in 2014-15, but head coach Kenny Jackett said the Dutchman had the attributes to cause problems for Championship defences if played up front.

Van La Parra has featured as striker throughout pre-season so far and Jackett said: "I really like his pace – I like pacey forwards.

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"He did well up there last year when he played alongside Danny Graham when we had injuries.

"If he could perhaps get on a run of scoring goals I do think he could cause lots of problems as a forward, as well as being an option for us down the right-hand side."

Van La Parra scored twice against Walsall during a run-out with the under-21 squad in a behind-closed-doors friendly last week.

And Jackett backed van La Parra to build on what he considered was a successful first year at the club.

He appreciated the fact the Dutchman has analysed his own performances and looked where he feels he needs to improve.

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Jackett added: "I think goalscoring it something he wants to add to his game anyway and something that has frustrated him. He's had chances, but not scored as many goals.

"One of his own personal goals this year is to keep up the assists, which have been pretty high, but to add goals and finish the chances that he's had. That's where he feels he can improve.

"It's a good assessment for a player to look at what he did last year, how he can improve, what he wants to build on. That's his own opinion from me talking to him, on his own performance."

Meanwhile, Wolves Under-21s won 4-1 at Nuneaton last night with Bradley Reid, Zeli Ismail, Eusebio Bancessi and an unnamed trialist on target.