Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Mick McCarthy insists that winger Michael Kightly remains a highly-valued member of his Molineux squad.

The 24-year-old was restricted to ten appearances last season as Wolves returned to the top-flight, having been troubled by a series of foot and ankle injuries.

However, McCarthy is looking forward to having a fully-fit Kightly at his disposal next season.

He told the Express & Star:"Michael has always been in my calculations, because he is such a good player and such a good lad.

"I want him in there. He's in my calculations, yes, and he's going to be our player next season - I am being positive about that.

"I see Kights as my first-choice wide right player when he is fit and I couldn't see anything else.

"If Michael Kightly is fit and at the top of his game, I think all the others who have played in that position would have to do something very special to be better than him.

"That is how highly I think of him and he deserves to be for what he did for us in getting us up.

"He deserves to play in the Premier League because of what he has done with us."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email