Michael Kightly is keen not to set too specific a target as he nears a hopeful return from problems with his patella tendons.

 

But after another summer of which the majority has been spent at the Compton training ground, playing some part of a pre-season game would certainly fit the bill.

 

The popular winger is in positive mood after a recent injection to boost his recovery from the injury.

 

And while cautious not to rush having not kicked a ball in the first team since damaging his ankle last November, Kightly is confident he can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

 

"The rehab has been going well," he said.

 

"I had another injection a few weeks ago and had to rest it for a couple of weeks so I've managed to get a holiday.

 

"Other than that I've been in near enough every day that I can be.

 

"I've been working hard with the physios and have progressed massively and the specialists are really happy with how things are going which is good.

 

"I don't want to set too many targets.

 

"I would like to be back at some stage of pre-season but won't be for the start of it.

"This injury is quite an intense one and something you can't rush back from.

 

"I've been out too long now to rush back and suffer a setback.

 

"We're all keen to take things gradually especially when pre-season is such a tough period with double sessions.

 

"To go back straight into that would put me back.

 

"I've just got to ease my way back in and hopefully play some part of a pre-season friendly."

 

Kightly admits it's been something of a quieter life at the training ground over the summer with the majority of the squad away from Compton.

 

And he admits it will be like the end of a schoolkid's six weeks holiday when the players return for fitness testing next week.

 

Getting fit again over the coming weeks would come at the perfect time as a strengthened Wolves squad embark on their second successive season in the Barclays Premier League.

"It is an exciting time to come back with the new players and the new season," Kightly added.

 

"Everyone at the club knows how frustrated how I was last year and struggled to deal with it mentally.

 

"I'd worked so hard to get where I got - like all the rest of the lads - and then never really got to full tilt and 100 per cent.

 

"My best game was Birmingham and that was when I did my ankle.

 

"As we stayed up I've got another crack at the Premier League and hopefully a good one.

"I'm feeling a lot more positive now and looking forward to cracking on with pre-season."

 

If he did need any further motivation than the recent words of boss Mick McCarthy highlighting his potential influence to the team did the job perfectly.

 

And so too a pep talk from chairman Steve Morgan, with the winger now firmly focused on a return to arms.

 

"That sort of thing helps massively," he said of Mick's words.

 

"When you're injured you get very low and hearing the gaffer say I'm still an important player to him is a big boost.

 

"The chairman also said some nice things to me at the Player of the Season awards and we had a good chat.

 

"I've been at the club a long time now and helped get us to the Premier League - now I want to be a part of us staying there."

 

* The full Kightly interview is available now to subscribers to Wolves Player.