Matt Doherty looking to marginal gains after Wolves appoint new coach

Jack Wilson was poached from Manchester City at the start of pre-season to become part of Gary O'Neil's backroom staff, solely focused on set pieces.

Wolves scored from a set piece in their first friendly against Como, and Doherty believes Wilson's addition should help Wolves in a 'huge part of the game' ahead of the new Premier League season.

"We know how important they are, in football they can be the difference for where you finish in the league, set pieces are a huge part of the game," Doherty said.

"A lot of the goals come from set pieces in one way or another.

"He's come in and we've scored from one pretty much straight away, so he'll be happy!"

This pre-season is also O'Neil's first as a head coach as he looks to evolve his Wolves side.

Doherty added: "It's an important one because look what happened with Nuno when he came in, he had a full pre-season to work with us.

"Gary didn't have that last year and look what he was able to do with us, with the way we played and how he changed how we were on the pitch.

"We've started pretty well, you've seen the training and the ideas we're trying to get across. We're happy."

This season, Doherty also faces more competition after the signing of Pedro Lima.

But the experienced defender hopes his consistent availability will prove useful as he fights for minutes.

"More competition for me and for everybody," Doherty said of the new signings.

"I'm 32 and he's 18, so we're at different stages of our careers, but he's come in and looked really good for someone so young.

"It will be interesting to see the progression there.

"Rodrigo reminds me a little bit of Neto when he first came in and he looks like he's going to get some goals.

"I want to play as much as possible, just like everybody else.

"I pride myself on being available all the time, I don't get injured that often and last season I was available for almost every training session and every game.

"I'm staying as fit as I can, I want to play as much as I can. If you're available, the game time will come."