Former Cardiff City striker Joe Mason is being earmarked to be the focal point of Wolverhampton Wanderers strike force next season.

The Bluebirds will never know whether their ex-striker would have been the difference in their unsuccessful bid to reach the Championship play-offs.

But having Mason – sold to Wolves for £3million in January – would surely have helped in the 3-0 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday when City were glaringly lacking in decent strikers.

Now ex-Swansea City boss Kenny Jackett is looking to Mason to be their main man next season having hit three goals for their Championship rivals since leaving Cardiff.

Jackett said: “Yes I do think we could build it around him. Anyone that has the ability to score, and finish, like he does, I think you should consider how you go.

“He doesn’t need that many chances to score. And even in a quiet game he gets chances.

“That’s been a feature of his time at Wolves. And from our point of view this should be capitalised on.”

Jackett reckons Mason needs a physical striker alongside him like he had with Kenwyne Jones at Cardiff which proved successful at times.

“My overall feeling is he’s a 4-4-2 player, second striker, and needs some physical presence up there with him,” added Jackett to the Express&Star newspaper.

“Joe’s best ability is on the back line and getting in behind.

“He’s come in as a number 10 which has probably taken him away from the goalscoring areas and I don’t think necessarily suits his strengths.

“What he is, he’s very good at getting on and reading a flick. And his movement in behind defenders is very natural.”