Wolves' Jordan Graham backed to battle back
Wolves boss Kenny Jackett has backed winger Jordan Graham to come back stronger than ever as they face up to life without him for up to a year.
The 20-year-old has made such an impression in the 12 games he has played since returning from Oxford United on loan.
He tore his anterior cruciate ligament during Saturday's 3-1 defeat to Cardiff and will soon undergo surgery.
That will give a more precise timescale can be put on his recovery, but it is likely to be well into next season before Graham is seen in a Wolves shirt again.
Jackett told the Express & Star: "It's disappointing for the lad and disappointing for the club, considering the start he'd made to his Wolves career.
"But the way to look at it for him now is that he's young enough to get over it. Many footballers have got over this, particularly at his age, and he can make his body very strong now in the next year.
"Plenty of people have overcome this and gone on to have long and successful careers."
Graham laid on eight assists in his 12 appearances and was already a strong contender to be named as Wolves' Player of the Year at the end of the season.
He joins Nouha Dicko in the treatment room, with the Mali striker having suffered the same injury last August
Jackett added: "It's a great shame it's happened but you can't keep living in that moment, he has to look forward now.
"It's a blow for him personally and it's a blow for the club, he's a talented young player.
"He has to look forward. Plenty of people have overcome this and gone on to have long and successful careers and I'm sure Jordan will as well.
"Wolves have a very good reputation medically. He'll get every assistance and guidance and it'll be top class.
"So there's every chance and opportunity for him for what is going to be quite a long road.
"Nouha Dicko has maybe just over halfway through it and I'm sure he'll be able to help him as well.
"I spoke to him on the phone and although there's a bit of shell-shock. The medical team initially did fear the worst, within an hour of the game.
"But then they needed medical confirmation by way of a scan, but it looked 90 per cent that it was the ACL, plus the lateral, that was confirmed by Sunday morning."
