Wolves boss Kenny Jackett explains Kevin McDonald and Nathan Byrne absences

"They haven't necessarily done anything wrong - and I've told them that."

Some Wolves fans have been puzzled by the absences of midfielder Kevin McDonald and winger Nathan Byrne in recent weeks, with neither making the matchday squad of late.

McDonald is highly expected to leave the club in the summer, with Rangers linked with a move for the Scot.

Byrne has been in and out of favour all season, but hasn't kicked a ball for the club since setting up Danny Batth's injury-time equaliser at Burnley on March 19.

Jackett again confirmed that both are fully fit and available for selection.

And he insists neither of the pair have done anything wrong.

Jackett said: "Both are fit and available and have no problems with their attitude, or their training.

"For Nathan Byrne - James Henry and Jed Wallace have been my preferred options on the right hand side.

"For Kevin, it's been a combination of Jack Price, George Saville, Conor Coady or Dave Edwards in midfield.

"Those players have just edged ahead of them – it hasn't been anything that they've done.

"They haven't necessarily done anything wrong, and I've told them that.

"Their determination now to battle back is important."

With Wolves lacking creativity in midfield of late, and Jackett making a point of bemoaning as such, it's a surprise to see the pair sidelined.

By not even selecting them on the bench, is Jackett making a point to the duo that they need to work hard to get back into the side?

"It's nothing intended," Jackett replied. "It's just more about the players who are playing, and my preference for those players.

"I haven't seen any manager be able to do it with just 11 players, and you have to leave somebody out.

"A run with the other players is something I'm doing at the moment.

"For Kevin and Nathan I'm open-minded, if they battle back and get into the side then credit to them. And that's football life.

"That's what you have to do – come through that and battle back."

Byrne started five games in a row before being dropped for Jed Wallace at Burnley.

What was he lacking in those particular games to leave Jackett unconvinced?

"I didn't think he was necessarily lacking anything," Jackett said. "It's some confidence in James Henry, who's come straight back into the team, I have some confidence (in him).

"And I saw quite a lot in the Burnley game for Jed Wallace, that right at the moment he has a very good future.

"Nathan has to work hard and get back over those two.

"Rather than what Nathan was lacking, it's the strengths of the other two that have come out on top."

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