Paul Lambert still needs more Championship experience at Wolves and the Burton Albion loanee has that in abundance.
Wolverhampton Wanderers offered Michael Kightly, then a sprightly young winger desperately trying to forge a career with non-league Grays Athletic, his chance in professional football. They also stood by him when his livelihood was brought to the brink of ruin by a series of long-term injuries
Therefore, it’s perhaps no surprise that the supporters still hold a grudge about his 2014 exit to Burnley. The fact it coincided with Wolves’ relegation from the Premier League left a rather sour taste, as reported by the Express and Star.
In fact, despite his respectfully muted celebration after netting against his former employers for Burton Albion last month, or claims that his gratitude for the club would remain with him until death, the Express and Star reports, most supporters were still not willing to offer him an olive branch.
Therefore, despite the fact he is out of contract at the end of the season and has offered signs of getting back to his best in a three-goal loan spell with Burton, it’s unlikely that he would be welcomed back with open arms at Molineux.
Furthermore, Paul Lambert is hardly lacking in wingers with Jordan Graham and Michael Zyro returning from long-term absences.
Yet, despite the multitude of reasons why a potential return is far from an inspired idea, clearly Kightly still has plenty to offer. He may have only featured five times for Burton since arriving in January but his performances inspired Nigel Clough’s strugglers to two wins and a draw.
And his penchant for a long-range stunner of postage stamp free-kick remains unaffected by his long list of debilitating injury issues.
Furthermore, Kightly knows Wolves and, crucially, he knows the Championship. Lambert told the Birmingham Mail earlier in the season that his squad were suffering from a lack of second tier experience, with many of his players either young or brought in from abroad.
Kightly, then, may seem a more attractive proposition to the manager than the supporters.
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