Leon Clarke has point to prove as Wolves linked with Heerenveen winger
Bit-part player Leon Clarke was today told he still has lots to prove at Wolves as Kenny Jackett was linked with Dutch winger Rajiv van La Parra.
Clarke is preparing to return to the Championship where he is still to convince as a goalscorer after featuring sparingly in Wolves' stunning League One title success.
The 29-year-old striker scored once in 13 appearances for his hometown club following his £750,000 move from Coventry in January.
Much-travelled Clarke has only been a modest scorer for Wolves, Sheffield Wednesday, QPR, Preston and Charlton in the Championship.
And head coach Jackett admitted the forward has a lot to do to convince – to both club and supporters.
"He's got a lot to prove coming here, because he hasn't had the opportunities," said Jackett.
"There is history and supporters set very high standards for players – and so they should.
"It's up to all of us – myself included – to match those standards and if it doesn't quite work out, you have to persevere, show your character, then you can come through as a very popular player when you show your resilience."
Jackett is convinced a target man such as Clarke is needed, however.
"You need a big centre-forward," he said. "And someone like him with a goalscoring pedigree, I'm certainly hoping his best few years are ahead of him and with a point to prove going into this division, like many of my players.
"In any formation, the one place you need to be top heavy is centre forwards.
"That's very important because in other areas you can cover and play people out of position, and, certainly while the window is still open, you can get loans.
"But strikers are a different market so if you're going to have one too many, it should be centre forwards."
Meanwhile, Wolves have been linked with a move for Dutch winger van La Parra as Jackett plans for the Championship.
The 22-year-old, who started at Feyenoord before moving to French club Caen in 2008, is out of contract at Heerenveen this summer.
Van La Parra joined Heerenveen in 2011 and he has impressed in the Eredivisie.
The Dutchman has scored five goals this season.
