Kenny Jackett backs Zeli Ismail to shine for Wolves
Wolves winger Zeli Ismail was today backed to finally deliver on his stunning potential.
Head coach Kenny Jackett believes the 19-year-old one-time wonderkid, who was touted as one of the best prospects in the country as a schoolboy, has the end product to fulfil his prodigious talent.
Ismail made his home debut in Saturday's 4-0 win over Gillingham, when the youngster was preferred over Bjorn Sigurdarson at wide right, and provided an assist for Bakary Sako.
And the head coach reckons the wide man is ready to become a regular, saying: "The glimpses we have seen three games in – and he's played two of them – is he's got an end product.
"In the Capital One Cup game at Morecambe, he produced an excellent pull-back when Leigh Griffiths should have scored and then a similar move which hit the crossbar.
"On Saturday there was a good ball across for Sako's goal, and in pre-season, he scored against Barnsley, who are a Championship side.
"Wolves is his club, this is a big opportunity for him and he will settle down. Whenever he's been tested, his fitness levels have been massively high.
"He has the physical attributes – he can run all day, so he can last."
Jackett has watched Ismail's development over several years.
He said: "I have been aware of him and watching him in the under-21s, where he was good last season.
"It didn't quite happen for him when he went to Milton Keynes Dons on loan. I have spoken to people about that but, sometimes, the first loan is tough.
"He has a good reputation though. He has a lot of ability and generally in football circles he's well thought of.
"Despite coming off with cramp at Morecambe, he has an unbelievable fitness level. It shows that the cramp is just a mental thing, which he will get over."
Meanwhile, defender George Elokobi (groin) is set to return to contention for Saturday's trip to his former loan club Bristol City, but midfielder David Edwards (ankle) is still sidelined.
Jackett said: "Elokobi has a good chance of being available for Saturday. I don't think Edwards will be, but it's not a long-term problem."
