Solbakken plots January signings

But Solbakken is pinning his hopes of barely-seen signings Razak Boukari, Slawomir Peszko and Georg Margreitter being available by the turn of the year, which may shape his transfer plans.

Providing Wolves can make up ground to be competing around the play-off places, it is understood the board will be happy to spend.

A striker and cover at left-back are thought to be among Solbakken's targets.

"Steve Morgan and Jez Moxey haven't promised me £20m or £30m, but I think they trust me to be smart enough to make the club progress, so in three or four years' time, hopefully, the fans can tell me we've made that progress," said Solbakken.

"I don't know if I expect to do much in January but I expect to do something.

"We have an idea but we also have to be aware things can change.

"By then we should have players coming back from long-term injury, so we have to look at that."

Solbakken said he is thinking both long and short term when it comes to strengthening next month.

"You always have to take both views into consideration," he said.

"We need results so we can't say in April that we're suddenly looking good – we need to look good now.

"Certainly, Jez and the owner are on the same wavelength.

"We have to make sure we adapt to where football is going – we want to play at a quicker tempo but we don't want to be chasing the ball for 90 minutes.

"We have to take one step at a time."

Solbakken has one eye on his casualties returning next month to boost the team.

"If we can come through this period with a certain amount of points, and we can do bits and pieces in the transfer market, there are four or five players on the treatment table who will strengthen us," he said.

Jamie Reckord has returned early from his loan at League One Coventry but isn't ready to challenge Stephen Ward.

The 20-year-old full-back made the last of his 12 Sky Blues appearances on November 6.