Wolves boss' vow on Michael Kightly

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has vowed Michael Kightly will return to his best - but warned fans to be patient.

Kightly took another small step along his comeback route with his first senior goal since March 2009 in the 3-2 friendly win at Walsall.

The winger played for an hour at the Banks's Stadium and it was another pain-free outing for the former England under-21 international, who has endured over two years of injury hell.

And McCarthy is seeing signs of the Kightly who dazzled the Championship emerging again.

The manager said: "I'm expecting the Michael Kightly back we know – but not instantaneously.

"He looks fantastic at the minute and if he remains injury-free, I don't think it will take him that long.

"What I think we'll see are good things and good performances."

McCarthy admitted 25-year-old Kightly is at a critical point in his career.

The Wolves boss added: "It's probably one of the most important pre-seasons of his career having missed most of the last two years.

"But he does look really fit and has got his enthusiasm having missed so long. It's just great to have him back, it's lovely.

"I do know is that when he was injured, he was one of the fittest lads we had.

"In his first couple of seasons here he was phenomenal with the amount of legwork he put in and the football he played.

"After being missing for so long, it's been a breath of fresh air to see him coming back."