Michael Kightly could be set to give Wolves a new year boost, according to boss Mick McCarthy.

The luckless winger is set for a return to the first team squad in January, after he undergoes surgery on his knee in Sweden on December 12.

Kightly, who last played a year ago, is already back in light training after a first knee operation was declared a huge success.

“I think it’s something like six weeks since he had the first operation on his one knee,” said McCarthy.

“Who knows, I might be able to name him in my 25-man squad come the end of January, I’ve no idea. It would be lovely boost to have him back.

“The knee he’s had done is great so he’s having the other one done. And if it feels as good as this one then that would be great.”

Kightly was excluded from McCarthy’s 25-man squad in August to take the pressure off his comeback after suffering a setback in his bid to shake off the discomfort in his knees which had dogged him for months.

Meanwhile McCarthy admitted Jelle Van Damme wasn’t committed to making his move work but insisted there were no hard feelings about his exit.

Van Damme has completed his £2.5m return to Belgium after joining Standard Liege just five months after moving to Molineux.

The Belgium international will train with his new club until the move can officially be ratified on January 1 when the transfer window opens.

“He wasn’t staying,” said the boss. “I like Jelle but even if there’s just one per cent of him not committed why would we keep him when we’ve got lads totally committed to it?”

By Tim Nash