Michael Kightly insists he is "staying positive" as he bids to regain full fitness following an extended spell on the sidelines with a troublesome knee injury.

The 24-year-old winger has not played since November 2009 because of a patella tendon problem and was this week left out of Wolves' 25-man squad for the first half of the Premier League season after suffering a setback in his recovery.

Kightly is targeting a loan move once he is fully fit but remains optimistic he will be able to force his way back into manager Mick McCarthy's plans when Wolves' squad list is revised in January.

"Obviously any setback is disappointing but it's something I've learned to cope with over the last year or so," Kightly told www.wolves.co.uk. "This is a serious injury and one which is complex to deal with. But I'm staying positive and carrying on with the rehab without any pressure on when I need to be fit again.

"Once it was realised I wasn't going to be ready it was always going to be the right decision not to be included in the 25.

"The gaffer needed players who he knew would be available to him if not now then certainly over the next few weeks.

"I am ready to give it as long as it takes but obviously when I do get fit again it would be good to get out on loan if any clubs were interested.

"If that was to happen then by the time January comes around I could be ready to try and challenge for a place in the squad here."