 Jackie McNamara has had knee and hip problems at Wolves |
Former Celtic defender Jackie McNamara has dismissed earlier reports he would not consider returning to Scotland. The Wolverhampton Wanderers 33-year-old, whose contract expires in the summer, has been plagued by injury while with the Championship side.
McNamara has failed to break into the side since recovering from injury and admitted he was "frustrated".
Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey said McNamara was an important part of manager Mick McCarthy's plans.
McNamara, who began his career with Dunfermline, has been linked with Hibernian, but it is believed that wage restrictions would rule out a move.
He suffered cruciate ligament damage during his first season and has yet to play this term following a hip problem.
 | I just want to play for Wolves and hopefully help the club get promotion |
McNamara told BBC Sport: "There are stories suggesting I am still not fit.
"Nothing could be further from the truth and what I now need is to play first-team football."
McNamara, who still hopes to force himself back into the Scotland squad, moved to Wolves in summer 2005, but he has made just 11 appearances for the Championship outfit.
And, despite being fit to play for the last three weeks, he has found himself denied a place in the side thanks to the form of young right-back Mark Little.
Newspaper reports suggested Wolves would allow McNamara to leave when the transfer window opens in January.
The Midlands club have been forced to make cash cutbacks and may hope to shed some of their higher earners.
But the Scot and agent Darren Jackson say they have had no indications from the club that they no longer require his services.
| We are looking forward to him getting back in and he is in the manager's plans Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey |
"It has been very frustrating for me at Wolves with the injuries I have had and, what makes it more difficult now, is the club no longer have a reserve side, so I can't even get any match action that way," said McNamara.
"I just want to play for Wolves and hopefully help the club get promotion."
Moxey said injury was the main factor in McNamara's lack of first-team action at Molineux.
"He has been injured for some time, so that's been the problem with him not being in the side," he told Record PM.
"He is a quality player with a great reputation and record, so we are looking forward to him getting back in and he is in the manager's plans.
"He only has this season to go on his contract, but we will see how he is doing before we start talking about a new deal."
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McNamara says his priority is playing games