Wolves ace Bakary Sako a Premier League target

Apart from a recent dip in form, the £3million winger from St Etienne has been one of the stand-out performers.

And, although his predecessor Stale Solbakken was always confident of keeping the 24-year-old, Saunders is publicly more realistic.

He said: "If Sako doesn't become a top player, I will be surprised. We are going to have a job keeping hold of him.

"I have watched him every day in training and what he does in the games isn't a fluke.

"He just needs a bit of educating as to whether he's playing in a 4-4-2 or a 4-3-3 because his role changes slightly.

"He's got a lot to learn, but in terms of his actual talent, there aren't many players of that around.

"He's a Premier League talent. He's got a great left foot, he's quick, he's probably the strongest player we have got and he scores.

"He crosses the ball with his left foot, he takes people on, he's positive and he tries to track back."

Meanwhile, Saunders today issued a 10-goal challenge to Kevin Doyle and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake to fire Wolves into the play-offs ahead of tomorrow's trip to Sheffield Wednesday.

The Wolves boss continues to scour the market for a striker but admits he may have to wait until the end of the season.

In the meantime, Saunders reckons five-goal Doyle and Ebanks-Blake, who has 10, can help clinch a top-six spot if they hit form.

He said: ""Most clubs at the top of the league have five strikers, so we are a bit short. But I want to give them a chance. I think Kevin Doyle is one goal short away from getting on a roll.

"Sylvan has 10 already and he had a bit of a hamstring injury in the Blackburn game but if they both get 10 goals between now and the end of the season, we are going to be close to be where we want to be."

Saunders has also had Norwich hitman Simeon Jackson watched.