Kenny Jackett Hopes To Keep Bakary Sako At Wolves After He Impressed Against Fulham In FA Cup

Kenny Jackett is hoping Bakary Sako will still be a Wolves player when he returns from the Africa Cup of Nations with the transfer window now open.

Saturday's 0-0 draw with Fulham in the FA Cup third round was the 26-year-old's last game for the Black Country side before heading to the tournament in Equatorial Guinea with Mali.

It was a match in which Sako looked the most likely to be the difference, hitting the post in what was yet another impressive performance from the Wolves winger.

“Anybody would miss him and we will,” manager Jackett said. “He is very popular with the crowd, popular with the players.

“He obviously goes to the African Nations now, but the plus side is that the window is open.

“We've got to make sure we work hard enough internally and externally, if needed, to cover that gap that's going to be there.”

Jackett is hoping such additions will be a stop-gap rather than a permanent replacement for Sako, admitting they could be “vulnerable” if previous interest is firmed up.

“We've been open with the player about possibilities and, in particular, Premier League possibilities,” Jackett said.

“I try to be as honest as I can with the player about the situation. That's helped us because his form has been good.

“His ambition is the Premier League – so is ours – but as and when something comes of that sort of level, we'll deal with it then.

“But, personally, do I hope it doesn't happen? Yes, I do.”

Whites boss Kit Symons said after the draw: “It was probably a typical cup tie. There was a lot of blood and guts, a lot of endeavour.

“It probably lacked that little bit of quality, a little bit of craft and guile for either side to score the goal.

“I thought we sort of started okay in the game. I thought there were a few chances, quite a few chances, for both teams, really.

“It was just that little extra little bit of quality from either side to make the breakthrough and that was lacking from both teams today I felt.”

REUTERS