Kenny Jackett: Sky-high wages are too rich for Wolves

Sky-high wage demands are a 'big problem' in Wolves' drawn-out search for first team signings, said Kenny Jackett.

Wolves have yet to bring in a first team player since Benik Afobe joined Bournemouth for £10m, 17 days ago. Michal Zyro remains their only senior signing in the window, despite obvious shortages both in defence and attack.

The likes of Nick Blackman, Gary Hooper, Conor Washington, Yann Kermorgant, have all been snapped up by Championship rivals.

And Jackett suggested wages were holding Wolves back.

"Obviously with the sale of Benik Afobe that has released spaces, funds, for us to try to move and improve," he said.

"But it is also a situation where even on player wages we're not going to just suddenly open up on wages.

"And while there is transfer funds available to buy players it's quite often wages that hold you back.

"And wages of players that can get you into the top two top six, top half of this division are very expensive.

"That's proving a difficulty. So while there is, for the right players, money available to go and spend, wages can be a big problem and for us and for Wolves we've worked hard to try to limit the very high demands and high wage bill that you can build up in the Championship."

Wolves have been saddled with high earners in the not-too distant past – and with the example of Bolton showing how things can go wrong, Jackett & Co are trying to strike a balance between competing with the Championship's big spenders and not racking up debts, "It does go that way when you see different clubs in embargo. People then point to mismanagement," he added.

"For us we understand the supporters and we get the message loud and clear.

"We want to be improving the team and spending money, we do get that.

"There has to be a degree of common sense to our decisions.