Wolves' Leon Clarke ruled out of Port Vale clash
Leon Clarke was today ruled out of a return to Wolves' promotion juggernaut in Saturday's Staffordshire derby against Port Vale.
It was thought Clarke would be fit for a return against Vale after missing the last two games with a heel injury.
But head coach Kenny Jackett declared his most expensive recruit at £750,000 needs an extra week's recovery from the niggle sustained in training.
Now the much-travelled signing from Coventry has been pencilled in for a return to contention for the derby at Walsall on March 8.
"I don't think he'll be considered this weekend, but we're hoping for the weekend after. That's the timescale," said Jackett.
"Hopefully the rest will do him good.
"The following game will have been five weeks without playing and that should be enough.
"He hasn't had a setback – it just hasn't come on."
Jackett stressed that with Wolves facing such a hectic March, they want Clarke to be available for as many games as possible.
"We don't want him to be back to square one after two days' training or two games," he said.
"That's the reason for keeping him out and making sure he's right."
Wolves have beaten Notts County 2-0 and Brentford 3-0 without Clarke as Michael Jacobs has scored four playing in the role earmarked for the 28-year-old, and James Henry netting the other.
See also: Wolves' fans anger as train price triples for MK Dons game
