WOLVES boss Julen Lopetegui was coy when quizzed on the Molineux future of Ryan Giles after the full-back's impressive Middlesbrough loan.

Bruno Lage was in charge at Wolves when Giles' Boro switch was sanctioned 12 months ago so Lopetegui is keen to cast his own eye over the defender when pre-season resumes before deciding the best course of action for the 23-year-old.

Giles still has two years left on his contract at Wolves and returns after a hugely impressive season on Teesside.

But Lopetegui is keen to strengthen his squad this summer - if he stays in charge. There's uncertainty over his own future amid financial fair play concerns that could prevent the former Spain and Real Madrid boss from adding to his squad as he wishes.

Wolves end their Premier League campaign against Arsenal on Sunday, and attention will then turn to Lopetegui's situation and the future - with Giles no doubt monitoring developments closely.

Giles has previously struggled to force his way into the first team picture at Molineux and has had several loan moves - the most impressive of which was his most recent at Boro.

But with the future of Rayan Ait-Nouri - who hasn't played since early March - uncertain, there may be an opening for Giles.

Quizzed on the returning left-back, Lopetegui told the Express and Star: “We will see. We have to review everything that’s going to happen – the players we have, the players who are going to come and of course we have to analyse the players who have been on loan.

“Afterwards we will make a decision, but we need to improve our squad.”

Lopetegui wants transfer assurances before he commits his own future to Wolves.

He said: "It's about not how much, but about what players we are going to have.

"I am not asking for incredible signings from Real Madrid or Barcelona. I am thinking of signing good players, young players, maybe Championship players, I don't know."

Giles loved his time on Teesside and had Boro won promotion they'd have almost certainly moved to make the defender's loan move permanent. Whether that's a possibility in the Championship is unclear and it's uncertain at this stage whether Wolves would sanction another loan move.

Given his age and his contract status, if Wolves decide Giles won't feature in next season's first team plans, a permanent sale is more likely than another loan.

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Giles said recently: "I’ve no idea what the future might hold. I am a Wolves player, and I have two years left on my contract there."

Wolves were understandably delighted with the way Giles' Boro loan spell played out.

The club's player marketing manager Matt Jackson said: “He’s improved the areas of his game which needed improving, some of his defensive work.

“We certainly know from an attacking sense he’s got tremendous tools for the Championship. It’s just now whether they translate to higher levels.

“It’s always down to the player, their willingness to learn, their willingness to try the things they’ve been taught on the field of play, and when you get Ryan in an environment like Middlesbrough, the way he’s asked to express himself, it’s quite right he’s now delivering the very best that he can do. His pathway has been excellent.”