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Can Wolverhampton Wanderers secure exit for out-of-favour players?

Ahead of their return to the Championship, Sports Mole looks at whether Wolverhampton Wanderers will be able to secure an exit for their out-of-favour players.

After securing an immediate return to the Championship last season, it has been a summer of optimism at Wolverhampton Wanderers as everyone connected with the club looks forward to the new campaign in the second tier of English football.

However, despite the positivity at Molineux, chief executive Jez Moxey has been left with the task of trying to move on players that aren't seen as a part of head coach Kenny Jackett's regime in the West Midlands, with the wages of several members of the squad having a detrimental effect on Jackett's resources to build a team capable of gaining a second successive promotion.

Below, Sports Mole assesses whether Wolves are likely to be successful in finding new homes for some of their highest earners before the end of the summer transfer window.

1. Jamie O'Hara

When Jamie O'Hara first joined Wolves on loan in 2011, he was considered to have played a pivotal role in helping the club remain in the Premier League, but after signing a permanent deal, his spell in the Black Country quickly turned sour.

O'Hara spent much of the 2011-12 campaign on the sidelines as Wolves were relegated to the Championship, and after failing to influence the team during their demise to League One, O'Hara soon faced a backlash from the club's supporters.

Jamie O'Hara of Wolverhampton Wanderers in action during the npower Championship match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Amex Stadium on May 4, 2013© Getty Images

The former Tottenham Hotspur man featured just twice as Wolves won promotion last season, and with his demotion to the club's Under-21 side being followed by problems off the pitch, Wolves face a difficult task to part ways with a player who is reportedly earning £35,000 per week.

Verdict: Given his non-existent form and significant wage demands, it's unlikely that any club in the Premier League or Championship will take a risk on him.

2. Kevin Doyle

Kevin Doyle has never replicated his goalscoring exploits from his days at former club Reading during his time at Molineux, but the striker has always offered Wolves options in the final third.

However, after relegation to League One, it was always likely that Doyle's loyalty to Wolves would be in some doubt and midway through the last campaign, he admitted that he wasn't totally motivated to play at that level.

A loan move to Queens Park Rangers quickly materialised but with the Republic of Ireland international back at the club and out of Jackett's first-team plans, Wolves need to find a solution to end Doyle's five-year spell in the West Midlands.

Verdict: A low-end Premier League or high-end Championship side could take a risk on Doyle providing that he lowers his wage demands, but the likelihood could be that Doyle goes out on loan in September.

Kevin Doyle of Wolves celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the npower Championship match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Bristol City at Molineux on March 16, 2013© Getty Images

3. Roger Johnson

When Wolves remained in the Premier League in 2011, the signing of Roger Johnson was supposed to be one of the main components to solidify the club's status in the top flight, but the career of the former Birmingham City centre-back has faltered since moving across the West Midlands.

The poor form of Johnson contributed to Wolves suffering successive relegations and it was soon made clear that due to his high wages, Wolves wanted him off the payroll to balance the books before their drop to League One.

Wolves were only successful in loaning Johnson to Sheffield Wednesday and West Ham United respectively, and they will make another effort to see the 31-year-old depart the squad this summer.

Verdict: Sheffield Wednesday are known to be interested in a permanent transfer, but it remains to be seen if a deal can be reached. A switch could depend on Johnson's willingness to lower his pay demands.

4. Stephen Ward

While not one of the club's star players, Stephen Ward has been a dependable figure for much of his time at Molineux, but a poor campaign after the club's relegation to the Championship lowered his standing at Molineux.

Stephen Ward of Wolves passes the ball during the npower Championship match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Bolton Wanderers at Molineux on October 23, 2012© Getty Images

Upon his arrival last summer, Jackett soon made it known that Ward wasn't in his first-team plans, and the left-sided Republic of Ireland international spent the season on loan at Brighton & Hove Albion, where he impressed during his 47 appearances in all competitions.

Ward featured during a friendly against Oxford United earlier this week, but with a return to Brighton only being delayed by a dispute over wages, it seems a certainty that the 28-year-old will leave the League One champions.

Verdict: There will be no shortage of takers for Ward, but a compromise with Brighton is likely to be found before the end of August.

5. Tongo Doumbia

Tongo Doumbia was signed by Stale Solbakken as Wolves attempted to build a squad capable to earning a quick return to the Premier League, but despite being a regular part of the starting lineup, the Mali international failed to save Wolves from relegation.

He was subsequently loaned out to Valenciennes for the following campaign, going on to score four goals in 36 appearances in Ligue 1.

After the end of his temporary spell, Doumbia is back at Wolves but after featuring in a friendly at Hednesford Town on Tuesday evening, it appears only a matter of time before he secures an exit away from the club.

Verdict: Speculation regarding a move to Lens has been denied by Wolves, but it's expected that Doumbia will find himself in Ligue 1 before the end of the transfer window.

6. Georg Margreitter

Defender Georg Margreitter was another brought in by Solbakken before the start of the 2012-13 season, but despite a promising reputation, his move to England has proven to be a disaster.

Georg Margreitter for Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2012© Getty Images

After signing for £500,000, the Austrian centre-back played just 10 minutes of league football while being part of the side that slumped to a 6-0 defeat away at Chelsea in the League Cup.

He impressed during a loan spell with Copenhagen last year, making several appearances in the Champions League under Solbakken, but as of yet, the Danish club have failed to meet Wolves' asking price for a permanent transfer.

Verdict: He could leave towards the end of the transfer window, but Wolves might not recoup the fee that they were hoping to get.

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