Wolves target Newcastle's Shane Ferguson

The new Molineux head coach, who was awaiting completion of the Sam Ricketts signing today, is short of options at left-back.

And Wolves have enquired about the availability of Ferguson, who turns 22 next week.

Regular left-back Stephen Ward has been transfer-listed and the only other senior player in that position, George Elokobi, is also seen as cover at centre-half.

Ferguson fits the 'young and vibrant' profile Jackett has identified as the type of player he wants to shape the new Wolves era.

The Northern Ireland international also has the added appeal of being able to play left-wing, which would help if Bakary Sako's expected sale to Fulham goes through.

Derry-born Ferguson is no stranger to the West Midlands, having had an impressive loan spell at Birmingham last season.

He played 11 Championship games for Blues, scoring a stunning free kick in their 4-0 win at Crystal Palace on March 29, in a total of 25 appearances in 2012-13.

Blues would also like to sign Ferguson, but the financial crisis at St Andrew's would prevent them making a bid for a player who created goals for them from left-wing and full-back last term.

Ferguson has played 32 times for Newcastle, including 23 in the Premier League, of which seven have been starts, beginning against Wolves in the Magpies' 4-1 win in April 2011.

But despite having signed a five-year deal in 2011, he is one of the players deemed surplus to requirements by the Magpies under new director of football Joe Kinnear.

He is out-of-favour along with Mike Williamson, Dan Gosling, the Ameobi brothers and James Perch, who joined Wigan yesterday.

Ferguson's Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill has told him he needs to be playing regular football next season if he wants to add to his eight caps.

Meanwhile, Wolves goalkeeper Dorus De Vries has joined Nottingham Forest on a free transfer.