Jack Price: Wolves youngster faces month out with knee injury

Wolves have lost young midfielder Jack Price for a month with a knee injury.

The 20-year-old was recalled to the starting line-up over the festive period but was forced off at the break in Sunday's 1-1 draw with fellow League One promotion chasers Leyton Orient.

"Jack has a knee ligament injury and will be out for three to four weeks," said Wolves head coach Kenny Jackett.

"It's a real blow. His improvement during the first half of the campaign has been considerable."

Jackett is now forced into making a change for the New Year's Day trip to Birkenhead to face Tranmere Rovers, who Wolves beat comfortably enough 2-0 at Molineux a month ago.

But Jackett told the club website that he has options: "It's not a position we're short in.

"We've got other midfielders - Dave Edwards, Lee Evans and David Davis."

Wolves, who face two away trips in little more than 48 hours as they are due at Gillingham on Friday night, go into 2014 lying third in League One.

They have reached the midway point of the season with a points tally of 48 from 23 games, having lost just three times.

"We are in a good position going into the January transfer window but there is always work to do," said Jackett. "You always have to try to improve as a team.

"It is imperative that we don't stand still.

"Most people look for centre forwards. If you ask managers across the country what they are looking for then generally it is a centre forward."

Jackett also made it clear that he still has faith in young striker Jake Cassidy, who returns to Prenton Park, where he spent the first half of last season on loan, scoring 11 times, still looking for his first Wolves goal.

"Jake Cassidy is a good centre forward," added Jackett. "But he needs a goal.

"He had numerous opportunities but I'd be more worried if he wasn't getting those chances.

"He gave our attack a lot in terms of holding the ball up and closing down and was awesome in the air. And once he does start scoring he will continue to do that."