Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Karl Henry insists the "future is bright" at Molineux despite this season's play-off heartache.Wanderers missed out on a top six place by one goal following Sunday's 1-0 win over Plymouth - a result which boss Mick McCarthy felt summed up their campaign following a host of missed chances.

At 25, Henry is one of the more senior figures in McCarthy's youthful squad and he has vowed that he and his team-mates will come back stronger for the experience next season - and he admits keeping their prized assets will be crucial if they are to launch a successful promotion bid next season.

"The future is definitely bright," he said. "The manager's signings have been mainly young players with one or two older heads such as Micky Gray and 'Breeny'. With Wayne Hennessey, Michael Kightly, Matt Jarvis, Andy Keogh and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, we've got such a young squad and we need to keep it together.

"You look at West Brom's squad and the majority are 25 to 28, 29 so we've got time to get to their level. Hopefully we'll keep the squad together and add to it. Let's hope everyone is given time at the club to do that.

"We'll be better equipped and a better team next season but we'd have taken going up this time around. Hopefully we can keep this team and squad together - not just the gaffer but also the backroom staff."

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