Wolves boss defends sale of Stearman to Fulham

Wolves boss Kenny Jackett has defended the sale of centre-back Richard Stearman to Fulham, after a newspaper poll showed the vast majority of supporters felt it was the wrong decision.

The Whites signed Stearman for £2m on transfer deadline day, but 82% of Wolves fans voting in the Express & Star said they wanted last season’s player of the year to stay.

Jackett told the newspaper: “He was allowed to leave before I was here – he went to Ipswich [on loan] and did very well as a right-back and then was part of the side at Wolves going up [from League One].

“For the last two years he’s been a good player for me and I do appreciate what he’s done, I really do.

“I do feel, also, you have to make decisions to move the club forward.

“We wish Richard all the best and hope things go well for him down at Fulham. I’m sure they will, he’ll bring an enormous amount of professionalism and ability to the club.

“But things can’t stand still. We have to move on. We feel, and I feel, it’s the right decision and the right time.”