Michael Kightly and Stephen Hunt in the 25

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has hinted that Michael Kightly and Stephen Hunt are in his plans by revealing both will be named in his Premier League squad of 25.

The injured pair will also travel to Ireland, along with goalkeeper Matt Murray, for a pre-season tour next week.

Clubs have to submit the names of all 25 players to be used from the start of the season until January under the new Premier League rule.

Even if players named in the 25 are not fit, others cannot be called up as clubs must wait until January to alter the list when the transfer window re-opens.

But, despite the prospect of neither player being fully fit for the start of the season, the manager is confident enough in their progress to include both.

Kightly is around two weeks behind the rest of the squad in his pre-season preparations, recovering from chronic inflammation in his patella tendons.

And McCarthy has already revealed Hunt will not be ready to play until October, as he battles back from a long-term foot injury.

The Wolves boss said: "Stephen Hunt will be in the 25 and so will Michael Kightly, who's looking like he's going to be fit.

"We might not have them to start with, but they'll be there as soon as they're fit."

Kightly is finally beginning to make the progress he has been striving for after many months of frustration, thanks to the weight-bearing Alter-G machine which allows players to run while only carrying a small percentage of their body weight.

McCarthy said: "Michael is doing his running and training on the Alter-G. He's doing his programme and that won't be altered.

"He'll have his two weeks before joining us. He started that this week actually and Stephen Ward's the same.

"They'll be coming with us to Ireland come rain, snow or hail because I'm taking all the players with me and I'm not leaving anybody here."

With three fit goalkeepers currently available, McCarthy stressed that Murray will have to prove his fitness before being named in the 25.

The manager added: "We'll be naming the three goalkeepers that are fit in the 25, but I won't be naming Matt Murray until he's fit."