Wolves' Kenny Jackett to give Liam McAlinden a chance to shine
Wolves boss Kenny Jackett today admitted he will be judged on the strikers he signs as he backed a "stronger, quicker" Liam McAlinden to emerge as a Championship contender.
The Molineux head coach wants to strengthen his attack with Nouha Dicko, Leon Clarke and youngster McAlinden his only senior options.
Wolves wouldn't pay £3m for Callum Wilson but have Leicester's Chris Wood as a more realistic option, as well as Middlesbrough target man Lukas Jutkiewicz in their sights.
Jackett wants to temper any strengthening from outside the club but by not stopping the flow of talent from within – of which an improved McAlinden has emerged as one in pre-season.
"Everyone is aware of what strikers you have – that's the judgement of your club," said the boss.
"There's more focus on the centre forwards and the goalscorers - it's such a big, key area.
"And when you get past February, signing centre forwards is very difficult because people tend to stack them up in the Football League.
"But for us, it's got to be the right player at the right time.
"We have several youngsters – Liam McAlinden is actually stronger and quicker than he was last season, which is a good improvement.
"For him, there must be a good period of assessment and we must make sure he gets every opportunity to see if he can come through because he's 20 now.
"Whether that be if he can break in at the start, we'll see. But I've been pleased with his start to pre-season."
Homegrown academy graduate McAlinden from Cannock showed he can cope with the big occasion when he scored the winner in front of 9,000 travelling fans at MK Dons last season.
"He's very comfortable making runs in behind defenders and on good pitches where there is space, that's his game," said Jackett.
"Perhaps coming short and playing into midfield isn't what he wants to do.
"But particularly down the left channel, he's very strong and his finishing is good when he gets chances.
"You have to be good enough to get on the end of things and sometimes make your own chances.
"But when he gets them, his finishing is very good.
"With all of those young players, they're older, more experienced, stronger and they will get better.
"And, while I understand people focusing on centre forwards, it's about being strong as a group, and it's about creating chances as well as taking them."