No effect at all - that's Mick McCarthy's usual and to the point synopsis on whether David Jones' contract stalemate will impinge on his selection and performance this season.

Wolves took the step earlier this week of revealing that the club and Jones had as yet been unable to reach agreement on a contract extension in a bid to end the questions and allow all parties to focus on the season ahead.

With that announced, all attentions now turn to the big kick-off with Jones, his manager and Wolves board adamant that fortunes on the pitch take prime importance.

"I want Jonah to be signed up and he wants to be signed up and the club want it done, but it can't be agreed," said Mick.

"Although myself and Dave want it sorting out, sometimes it doesn't work out that way.

"In the meantime, he will play, and if he plays every week and he's untouchable and indispensable then he can only do his case some good.

"It could work out to be a good thing, and will also do my case some good as well too because we'll have a better team.

"We can all make a thing of it, but there's not and I have no worries or fears about his situation at all.

"He could still be a part of things here after next summer.

"He's been brilliant in pre-season and he's fitter than he's even been.

"He'll be playing today so it's not affecting me picking him and it's not affecting him playing."