Express & Star

Wolves' Kenny Jackett: Jamie O'Hara will not return

Wolves boss Kenny Jackett today delivered another crushing snub to Jamie O'Hara.

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The £5m midfielder joined a mixed squad for one training session this week to make up the numbers while a behind-closed-doors friendly against Sheffield United was played, sparking speculation that he was back in the fray.

O'Hara has polarised opinion after Wolves fans bombarded the Express & Star website with their views in our Big Debate section.

The stuttering Wolves midfield has come under fire at a time when David Davis is suspended for tomorrow's visit of the Blades.

Some fans have called for exiled O'Hara, who earns an estimated £20,000-a-week, to be recalled, while others insist his time is up after falling out with supporters at the end of last season.

Jackett suggested he hasn't considered a U-turn on the 26-year-old, who is the only one of the four transfer-listed players still at Molineux.

"It's not something I've thought about too much," said Jackett. "He's not in my plans up to now.

"If the midfield needs a better balance, I'll try to address it and use every option I have.

"But my position hasn't changed – my thinking at present isn't to use Jamie."

Asked about the clamour in certain quarters for O'Hara, Jackett said: "Maybe it's a reflection of the perception that the midfield hasn't quite looked right.

"But there was a clamour in the summer for younger players to get a chance and that was what was needed.

"Making those changes doesn't mean you're going to be 100 per cent successful, but they needed to be implemented."

Meanwhile, Jackett revealed he discussed axing 'the big four' – O'Hara, Roger Johnson, Karl Henry and Stephen Ward – at his job interview, and that their wages were a consideration.

"My feelings and thoughts were conveyed in my job interview and the early weeks of the season," he said. "If you're not getting value for money, that's an added reason to turn players over.

"There have been discussions in board meetings where I put my views on how I feel it best to rebuild the club. You have to be open-minded but in the end it's best to do it your own way."

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