Joe Mason backed to come good for Wolves

Kenny Jackett has faith in Joe Mason to become a prolific scorer for Wolves – and was encouraged by his performance on Saturday.

Mason came close to breaking his goalscoring drought in the 0-0 draw against the Millers.

And Jackett believes there were plenty of positive signs that the goals will come for the £3m man.

"Mason had our best chances, which I was quite encouraged by," he told the Express & Star.

"He's had a very good chance against Leeds to make it 2-2 and he's had chances on Saturday.

"I'm encouraged by that, I know that players who do get chances score goals.

"He hits the target, he keeps the ball low, he generally with either foot hits it one-touch – they are the characteristics of a goalscorer.

"He does need a strong partner – you need to play 4-4-2 and he needs a strong partner.

"But overall I'm encouraged by the fact he gets chances."

Does he feel Nouha Dicko, who is due to return from a cruciate knee ligament injury next season, can be that partner?

"Dicko is certainly physically strong," Jackett added.

"I feel for Joe – he needs some power around him, whichever way you play him. I've said that as a comment, but yes, I do feel for Joe, he does need some strength and some power around him.

"I also feel that for players that can get chances, they get goals, and he could go on a run."

Along with Mason, James Henry was involved in most of Wolves' good build-up play on Saturday.

Jackett said the way the pair combined was another promising sign for the future.

And he feels 'good times' are ahead for Henry, who has been one of Wolves' most consistent performers this season.

"It bodes well for the future," he said of the pair.

"James has come back (from injury) and played well.

"Creatively he's good, he's at a good age, and there are good times ahead for him I think.

"He's a strong player for us and I'm encouraged by him.

"There was one ball through to Mason that was an excellent defence-splitting pass, and a lot of quality."

Jackett sprang a surprise by naming 18-year-old striker Aaron Collins on his bench on Saturday.

Collins moved from Newport County in the January transfer window.

He has featured regularly for the under-21s since then, but is another young player that Jackett wouldn't hesitate to try out in the Championship.

The Wolves boss said: "He's not physically as strong as he's going to be but it'll be interesting how he, another young player, at the right time will get an opportunity.

"Again, I would probably suggest he needs to play as a pair, but he is a striker with a little bit of everything.

"He's got a good general game; touch, pace, finishing, he's quite good at everything but hasn't got an 'extreme' in one."