Jody Craddock offered chance of Wolves deal

Jody Craddock was today handed the chance to earn a 10th year at Wolves by new manager Stale Solbakken.

The 36-year-old, the only senior professional out of contract on June 30, has been invited to join pre-season training by the Norwegian.

Should the popular centre-back, who will be 37 when the players return to work on July 9, impress, then he could earn another deal taking him to a decade's service at Molineux, which traditionally qualifies for a testimonial.

Craddock, whose youngest son Toby was recently diagnosed with leukaemia, played just once in the Premier League this season, the 2-1 home win over his former club Sunderland back on December 4.

The rest of his season was blighted by hip and hamstring injuries, the latter requiring surgery and he was unable to add to his career total of 581 games.

But, after saying he won't retire, he is now fit, and the 2009-10 Player of the Year is keen to add to his 237 appearances for the club he signed for in July 2003. Solbakken said:

"I spoke to Jody on Monday and invited him back when the squad return for pre-season training.

"That will give us the chance to assess his fitness and performance levels. I know of Jody's career at Wolves and how experienced he is.

"This arrangement will allow us to take a close look at him."

While Craddock has been given the chance to earn a 10th season at the club, Wolves have released midfielder Louis Harris and strikers Ashley Hemmings and James Spray.

Harris, 19, and Hemmings, 21, ended the season on loan at Keith Curle's Notts County and Plymouth respectively while Spray, 19, had a stint at Accrington.

Elsewhere, Wolves have exercised one-year options on striker Jake Cassidy, 19, left-back Jamie Reckord, 20, midfielder Jack Price and centre-back Michael Ihiekwe.

Goalkeeper Aaron McCarey and defender Ethan Ebanks-Landell both signed one-year extensions earlier in the year.

Cassidy scored five goals in 10 games on loan at League One Tranmere at the end of this season, while highly-rated left-back Reckord impressed at Scunthorpe.