Henri Camara is the 2003 Senegalese Footballer of the Year

Senegal forward Henri Camara has been described as a 'little gem' by the manager of his English Premiership side Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Dave Jones has also claimed that the Senegalese Footballer of the Year for 2003 was on the verge of becoming a Wolves hero before his departure for the forthcoming Cup of Nations finals in Tunisia.

Wolves bought Camara for US$2.3 million from French first division side Sedan in August 2003, after the forward scored 14 goals in the club's unsuccessful relegation battle.

And although the Teranga Lion has scored just one goal in 19 games in England, Jones believes he has unearthed a brilliant talent.

"Henri's priority is to score goals, and he has had lots of chances," the Wolves boss said.

"But he's becoming less erratic in his play and he's starting to adjust and get the tempo of Premiership football.

"I think the kid's done absolutely superbly so far, but we've just go to get him scoring goals.

"That's the silly thing about it because we know he can score."

Yet Jones believes that there is light at the end of the tunnel for the illuminating Camara.

"When he first came, he was so erratic in a lot of the things he was doing - and the longer he went without scoring, the more frustrated he became," the manager said.

"Now he's become calmer and a much better player, and the next step is for him to get those goals."

Jones is backing Camara for a golden future

In fact, Jones has been so impressed by Camara's recent form that he asked Senegal if the striker's departure for the Nations Cup could be delayed a few days.

"It's like Real Madrid trying to keep David Beckham in Spain when England have got the call on him - so I'm afraid Henri's had to report," Jones explained.

"The Senegalese won't budge."

Camara has found scoring goals in the Premiership harder than he finds hitting the back of the net on the international stage, where he has registered nine goals in 39 appearances.

Arguably his most important strike was the golden goal he scored against Sweden in the knock-out stages of the 2002 World Cup, as the victory made Senegal only the second African nation to reach the last quarter-finals of the competition.

Now, Jones must hope the pacy striker recaptures his goalscoring touch at the Nations Cup and holds on to that Midas touch when he returns to the golden-shirted Wolverhampton Wanderers.