David Jones' approval of Wolves buys

Wolves midfielder David Jones has given his seal of approval to the club's early signings even though it points to a fiercer battle for starting places next season.

Boss Mick McCarthy yesterday warned that big changes affecting established figures could be on the way this summer, as the Molineux club looks to add more to the Jelle Van Damme and Steven Fletcher deals of last week.

The manager is engaged in a wide-ranging strengthening programme this summer aimed at improving all areas of the squad, which will undoubtedly carry a knock-on effect for some players already at the club.

But there will be no complaints from Jones.

He said: "It's good that we have secured them so early on in the close season, I think they will bring a lot to the squad.

"Jelle van Damme has come here from a quality side in Anderlecht, so he comes with a good reputation. He's an international player who can play in a few positions, so he will definitely be a good addition.

"Steven had a really good season with Burnley, despite them not having the best of runs since Christmas and getting relegated. He is a young player who seems to have a lot of quality and I'm looking forward to playing with him.

"Since the manager has been at Wolves, he has brought in a lot of young players who are obviously hungry for the game but we now have a good blend of relatively experienced men along with the enthusiastic youthful ones.

"Like Jelle, Steven is also a full international and he will add more attacking options for us."

Running alongside the recruitment drive is the dual demand to trim fringe players from the squad, with as many as half a dozen expected to follow Burnley signing Chris Iwelumo through the exit door.

Jones, who is tieing up a new deal, won't be among them after an impressive campaign last season but is not taking any chances having conducted a pre, pre-season training schedule at Compton in recent weeks.

He said: "They call it pre-hab now rather than re-hab.

"Basically, it is meant to prevent any reoccurrence of the knee injury I had last year. I'm not injured now – it's just a preventive step. I'm feeling good and looking forward to coming back at the end of June.

"After a couple of weeks at home you start to feel fidgety, because you want to get playing again and be involved with the banter that flies around when you come in for training."