The ups and downs of life on loan from Wolves
Wolves have 16 players out on loan – but how are they getting on?
Nine are still playing in this country, three are in Portugal, with one each out in Slovakia, Spain, Scotland and the Czech Republic respectively.
Here, we look at how each of them have fared so far.
England – Ivan Cavaleiro (Fulham), Helder Costa (Leeds), Bright Enobakhare (Wigan), Rafa Mir (Nottingham Forest), Will Norris (Ipswich), Ryan Giles (Shrewsbury), Cameron John and Niall Ennis (Doncaster), Sadou Diallo (Accrington Stanley)
The loan departures of Cavaleiro and Costa were the most high-profile – and the former has come up with some impressive strikes for Fulham.
The Portuguese winger has scored four times in 15 Championship games for the Cottagers, while Costa has had a few bright displays without scoring for Leeds in the same division.
Wolves fans are hoping the pair do well, although neither are expected to return to Molineux.
A permanent transfer for Cavaleiro to Fulham is thought to be on the cards while Leeds have already agreed to buy Costa for a fee of around £15million.
Another forward, Enobakhare, is also in the Championship and it seemed, if he were to do well at Wigan, there was a slight chance of him getting back into the gold and black set-up.
However, after starring at Coventry in the second half of last term, he has not played for Paul Cook’s side since August 20.
Mir has made eight appearances – seven as a sub – and not scored for Forest.
In League One, defender Cameron John started well at Doncaster but has been out of action since September after suffering an ankle injury in training.
Ennis has picked up a couple of injuries for the same club.
He has scored once, though, and Darren Moore said of him last month: “He gives you that out, Niall.
“He’s strong, he’s quick, he manages and manipulates the ball really well with it at his feet. He gives the opposition defenders something to think about.”
At Paul Lambert’s Ipswich, Will Norris has had to be patient for his opportunity between the sticks.
He has started the last two games for them, managing to wrestle the No.1 shirt off Tomas Holy.
Young midfielder Sadou Diallo has only played once, as a sub, for Accrington.
The player still in this country who has made the best case for a future first-team inclusion at Wolves is Ryan Giles.
He was a regular for Sam Ricketts’ Shrewsbury until a recent knee knock – after making his Wolves bow against the same side last campaign.
And Ricketts has backed him to make the grade at Molineux: “He certainly has the potential to do it, he has athleticism, the speed, the quality of his crossing in the final third is good – it could still improve – but it is good.
“There are areas of his game to brush up on but he is keen and hungry to improve, which is the most important thing for any young player.
“He has done well, really well for a young player, his first run of games in the league.
“He’s a really exciting player, especially attacking in the final third.
“I think that is his real bit of quality coming through in that area.
“There is plenty he needs to brush up on.
“He is making big strides, he’s been called up by England (at youth level).
“He has played for them a number of times now. He has plenty to work on but he is a young player with big potential.”
Portugal – Leo Bonatini (Vitoria SC), Roderick Miranda (Famalicao), Renat Dadashov (Pacos de Ferreira)
Brazilian striker Bonatini may not be a part of the European journey at Wolves, but he is still playing in the Europa League with Vitoria.
He has appeared three times in the competition and made six appearances in the league, scoring twice.
Bonatini, of course, played a pivotal part in Wolves’ promotion to the Premier League a couple of seasons ago, and also involved in reaching the top flight was Miranda.
And he has played three times for the league’s surprise package Famalicao, who are third after coming up from the second tier.
Azerbaijan international Dadashov – signed in the summer from Estoril but loaned straight out – has played six games without scoring for Pacos de Ferreira.
Slovakia – Connor Ronan (Dunajska Streda)
Ronan is still enjoying life in Slovakia as a regular starter for Dunajska Streda.
He has helped them to second in the league – six points off Slovan Bratislava, who Wolves have beaten twice in Europa League Group K.
Ronan is also still in the Ireland U21 set-up.
Spain – Ryan Leak (Burgos)
After starring for the now-defunct Jumilla last campaign, defender Leak is now with Burgos in the Spanish third tier and has made five league appearances.
Scotland – Connor Johnson (Kilmarnock)
Former u23s captain Johnson, after spending last season with Walsall, has started once for Kilmarnock – a 2-1 loss to Motherwell at the end of last month.
Czech Republic – Christian Herc (Viktoria Plzen)
Viktoria Plzen are second in the Czech top flight but midfielder Herc has played no part in league proceedings, only making one cup appearance.
