Wolves' Clarke will ignore the jeers on Coventry return

The 29-year-old Wolves striker is set to appear for the first time against the Sky Blues since he left the club in January.

Sky Blues boss Steven Pressley felt let down by the way Clarke engineered the switch – not making himself available for a game at Leyton Orient, citing a foot injury and forcing him to blood 16-year-old academy kid George Thomas in the 2-0 defeat at Brisbane Road.

Pressley said: "You'd hope he'd get a decent reception.

"Do I think he will? No, because that's normal in football even though the supporters appreciate what a really good player he was.

"The fans sometimes understand why players move on but the timing and way he left disappointed them and me and so I'd imagine they'll make their feelings known.

"There were reasons not everyone sees on a weekly basis.

"There were other issues I had to take into account when we decided to let Leon go and it was a decision we made for the better of the club moving forward."

Pressley admits they miss him, adding: "He was a terrific player for us and we've missed him, there's no doubt about that."

Clarke has been a bit-part player as Wolves have stormed to the League One title, scoring once in 12 games.

But whether he plays or not, head coach Kenny Jackett feels the Wolverhampton-born striker is experienced enough to handle whatever comes his way.

"Leon's an experienced centre-forward and he scored at Swindon earlier in the season, one of his former clubs," said Jackett.

"I'm sure he'll be focused on doing well for Wolves now and will take anything else that comes his way in his stride.

"He's been back to many previous clubs before so it won't be anything new for him.

"There's no specific plan because Leon is going back to his old club. Our focus in on ourselves and what's best for our team."

Jackett admits Clarke's chances haven't been helped by the team excelling in a different formation which has meant they have been playing a lone striker, usually Nouha Dicko.

"When he came in he played a few games and looked very good and got injured," said the boss.

"Since his injury we've settled into a 4-3-3 formation that's left me with a choice of him or Nouha Dicko.

"He's been sub a lot of times, and he's been a victim of the 4-3-3 developing so well in the time he was out.

"I don't regret that because we've improved and it's been a tried and trusted formation.

"Coming into the latter stages of the season, there was no way I was going to rip it apart and change the formation and it's been proved right because we've continued to win games."

Jackett believes Clarke complements Dicko and Liam McAlinden and is an excellent option to have.

"Although Leon is a big man, he has a good touch and a lot of footballing ability but he does complement the strikers," he said.

"That's something you need if you want to be successful, particularly up front it's one position where you can't get caught short.

"You must have forwards of different types. "You can get away with covering many other positions but the centre forward is one where you probably need one too many."