Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Stephen Elliott has come out in support of Wayne Hennessey after the goalkeeper's costly error on Saturday.

Elliott scored his fourth goal of the season from the penalty spot last Saturday but had his afternoon ruined by an uncharacteristic mistake from the 20-year-old who has exceeded all expectations since emerging as the club's first choice No 1.

It was Hennessey who spilled Robbie Blake's free kick into his own net at Molineux to concede the goal that gave Burnley the impetus to race to a 3-2 win and close to within a point of their opponents. But Elliott refused to criticise the youngster: "Wayne was unlucky with the first one," he said. "He's made some fantastic saves so no one is blaming him at all.

"He made some saves which he has no right to make, particularly the free kick and the one where their striker was a couple of yards out, so there won't be any recriminations.  We've just got to get our heads up for the weekend now because it's another big game. This is always a busy period and if you can pick up points it stands you in good stead for the rest of the season."

Wolves' next appointment is at bottom of the table Queens Park Rangers this weekend and Elliott is conscious of the fact the club need a win after two consecutive defeats and the distraction of Mick McCarthy's link with the South Korean national team.

"It was nice to stick the penalty away but that's two defeats in a row now so we need a big result next weekend," he said. "It's hard to pinpoint what went wrong although we did make a few mistakes, which hasn't been happening recently. When you

concede three goals in the first half it's always going to be difficult."

Meanwhile Wolves winger Michael Kightly has emerged as a potential target for Italian side Torino.

The Turin-based club would have to pay around £2 million for a player that cost £20,000 from Grays Athletic little more than a year ago. n Stoke City have finally completed a deal to sign free agent Salif Diao.

City boss Tony Pulis has been trying to lure the former Liverpool midfielder back to Britannia Stadium after the 30-year-old impressed while on loan last season.

Diao, who left Anfield in the summer, has penned a deal until summer 2009 and Pulis is delighted to finally get his man after months of contract negotiations.

"Salif is a fantastic player and I'm obviously very happy to have him back," said Pulis.