Kenny Jackett: I want Kevin McDonald to stay

McDonald's future has been up in the air for two months since he was dropped from the team in early March.

The Scot failed to make an appearance in Wolves' final 10 games of the 2015/16 campaign – and Jackett had been non-committal on the midfielder's future.

However, the Wolves boss told the Express & Star that he wants McDonald to return to pre-season training at the end of next month and fight for his place in the team.

He said he wasn't expecting 'any surprises' over McDonald's future.

"We want him to come back in pre-season, work very hard and work his way back into the team," Jackett said.

"He's a contracted Wolves player, I don't think there's any surprises coming with him.

"He has to be as fit as he possibly can during the course of the summer and earn his place back.

"I'm confident he wants to stay too."

McDonald hasn't produced his best Wolves form this season but it is not known why Jackett has ostracised the Scot.

Rumours have been rife of a falling-out between the pair.

However, Jackett suggested McDonald could be part of the two-man central midfield he wants to operate net season.

He added: "I think he can be re-integrated back in.

"He can have a good summer, come back with some determination and try to be part of a midfield pair that's going to work very hard to get us an offensive number 10 (into the side).

"I saw it on Saturday (against Sheffield Wednesday) with James Henry, I felt he got close and linked quite well with Joe Mason.

"Having a midfielder pair that's going to be effective in this division is something we want to get to.

"And I'm confident Kevin can, as a Wolves player, come back and have a very good pre-season and earn that place."