Two of Michael Kightly's Wolves team-mates past and present have backed him to come through his troubling injury problems and push for a place in the Wolves squad in January.

Continuing problems with his patella tendons mean Kightly has been left out of the senior squad of 25 as he remains on the sidelines having not played a game since last November.

The move will now see Kightly aim to get some loan football before the chance to revise the roster in January, and Murray - who announced his retirement a week ago - is backing the winger to come back firing when he recovers his fitness.

"I think it's a great move by the club to leave 'Kights' out of the 25 at least until January," he says.

"It takes all the pressure off him.

"He won't be constantly targeting a game, he won't be saying to himself 'if I can get myself ready in three weeks' time I could make that match' and pushing himself too hard.

"Now he can relax, and focus on finding the problem, getting himself right so that one day we will all be watching him running at those defenders again.

"No-one could be working harder in the gym or wanting it more than him.

"He will have to push any negative thoughts to the back of his mind and he will do."

Stephen Hunt was one of those expected to be battling Kightly for a place in the team once recovered from his own injury, the broken foot sustained towards the end of last season with Hull.

That now won't be the case initially, but the winger believes his colleague now has time to get things right ahead of the New Year.

"With Kights it's been frustrating with his knee," added Hunt.

"A few players have had this injury now and it seems to be getting worse than the cruciate.

"It will take time but Kights will get back stronger and he'll be refreshed mentally and raring to go.

"He's got this time now to get right and hopefully get some football and look to get back in the squad come January."