Stale Solbakken casts doubts over Michael Kightly

Stale Solbakken?today admitted he is considering the future of Michael Kightly as he goes about shaping his squad for the new season.

Kightly – along with Christophe Berra, Stephen Hunt, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, Nenad Milijas, Ronald Zubar and Adlene Guedioura – is out of contract next June, when they will be entitled to leave on Bosman free transfers.

In the past, Wolves have secured players on long deals before their terms are due to expire.

But Solbakken is putting contract talks on hold.

"Sometimes you have to let players sit out their contract because you can maybe get a fee for them," said the boss.

"But then you have to weigh up that fee with whether you are strengthening or weakening the football club and what can you get back for that money on a short-term basis by getting a new player into the club."

Kightly's promising form at the end of last season, after two years plagued by injury, means he's one player fans are keen to see offered a new deal.

Solbakken added: "With Kightly I can't say anything else other than what I have said about Matt Jarvis and Steven Fletcher.

"At the moment he's part of the plans but he has one year left on his contract and this is the last period of time you can get serious money for him.

"So we need to consider whether we do a good deal and get a good player coming in, or if the fee is too small and the player is too good – the player is worth more than the offer.

"So is it better for the club in the long term that he stays or goes?

Steve Morgan will take part when it comes to the final discussion but I'm hired to build a squad and I'll have a big say."

See also:

• Boss issues warning over Wolves stars

• Matt Jarvis set for talks on future at Wolves

• Wolves land second shirt sponsor deal