Finances set to be decider on Kevin Doyle exit from Wolves

Doyle has again been touted as a target for Celtic but the deadline for the Glasgow giants to sign a replacement for Gary Hooper in time for their Champions League third- round qualifier against Cliftonville came and went last night.

That ruled the 29-year-old out of a chance to play for the club who came in for him in January.

But with the former Reading striker earning an estimated £40,000-a-week, Jackett admitted finances may dictate that his future lies away from League One.

"At present, you would think that our pay structure has to be more efficient in that the people earning the big money are the ones producing," said Jackett. "That's a constant re-assessment at any club.

"All players want to play but maybe young players have got the time to be a little bit more patient than experienced ones. We will see.

"With senior professionals playing on good contracts then yes, they need to be playing. The other side of it is that they would want to be playing.

"They're perhaps in their prime and have been used to playing on a regular basis."

Asked if he can keep Doyle, Jackett added: "I think mainly the decisions are football decisions.

"Have we got to make the wage bill more efficient? Yes. But you're continually looking to do that.

"Because in terms of your wage bill the top end has to be producing.

"With the bottom end you can speculate and that is very much a youth policy which is a broad base."

"It gets more selective – and on an individual basis more expensive – as you work towards the top of the pyramid."

Doyle is yet to play in pre-season despite being fully fit after a groin injury.

Jackett has given game time to Leigh Griffiths, Bjorn Sigurdarson, Jake Cassidy and Liam McAlinden so far this summer.

And he again hinted that he wants to see more of the young strikers at the club.

"My focus is on these players and making sure they work as hard as possible to overcome the considerable challenges that we're going to face this season.

"There are several players here who need a chance.

"Griffiths was loaned out last season to Hibernian and did very well, McAlinden made one appearance, Cassidy was loaned out to Tranmere and came back and made six appearances for Wolves, three of which were from the bench.

"Those three have done well in pre-season and it will be interesting to see how they develop."