Wolves ready to take a risk on Bakary Sako

Boss Saunders will bring £3million star Sako into Saturday's squad to face Burnley at Molineux with Wolves desperate for a result.

The winger has been out for five weeks with a torn hamstring, sustained in the first half of the 2-1 win against Bristol City on March 16, and the injury was expected to keep him out for the season.

But Saunders is prepared take a risk on the explosive 24-year-old because of his ability to score a goal out of nothing with the club desperate for points in the scramble to stay up.

He said: "He can sprint and he'll be available for Saturday. We are rushing him back, so we will see how he trains tomorrow and Friday.

"Is it a risk? Yes. He's ahead of schedule but we've got no choice. We're short of goalscorers – somebody who can score out of nothing.

"And if he smacks one in, or scores from a free-kick, it might be just what we need.

"It's whether I start him or he goes on the bench, but he hasn't joined in with us yet."

First of all, Sako has a more pressing duty – he is about to become a father and will be with his partner for the next 24 hours or so.

Saunders said: "He called me at 11pm on Monday night he called me to say his wife is having a baby, so he's tied up with that right now.

"I'm hoping he'll be in tomorrow if everything goes well with his wife and the baby."

George Elokobi also returns to contention for the first time since breaking and dislocating his ankle in September.

Saunders said: "George is in the squad for Saturday. He played a practice match on Monday so he's OK."

The Wolves chief admits it's a low-key build-up to protect the players from any more knocks in the countdown to the game that could decide which division the club are in next season.

He said: "I'm wrapping some of them up in cotton wool," he said.