Date: 26th October 2015 at 4:50pm
Written by:

During Wolves’ disappointing 3-1 loss at the hands of Middlesbrough on Saturday, Kourtney Hause was stretchered off with a hamstring injury and looked in severe discomfort as he departed down the tunnel.

Conor Coady was forced into a makeshift central role in the back four, with teenage left-back Sylvain Deslandes the only defensive cover available to Kenny Jackett on the substitutes’ bench.

Ethan Ebanks-Landell suffered a stress fracture in his foot at the beginning of this month, and he will not be back in training for at least a week according to the Head Coach. However, he certainly will not be fully match fit for the upcoming games against Birmingham, Bristol City and Burnley. Dominic Iorfa was also unavailable on Saturday through suspension after picking up his fifth booking of the season against Brentford, but he was forced off during that game due to a knee injury.

19 August 2015 - Sky Bet Championship - Wolverhampton Wanderers v QPR - Wolverhampton Wanderers manager, Kenny Jackett - Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

Wolves manager, Kenny Jackett.

And owing to the mysterious sale of cult hero Richard Stearman, the club are left short for defensive cover. Thank God for the loan window that we find ourselves in.

The loan window has been open since the beginning of September, and will be until November 25. Deals can last between 28 and 93 days. Kenny Jackett has used this period to good effect before – James Henry and Michael Jacobs were integral to the club’s successful season in League One back in 2013-14.

Players are often brought in to cover for injuries suffered after Deadline Day, which I think could be useful for Wolves at this moment in time. Although Premier League clubs cannot sign players on loan during this period, the process is mutually beneficial as loaned players can earn valuable experience and playing time at a different club. During the past week, Joe Cole was quick to announce his desire to leave Aston Villa on loan, and he was soon snapped up by Coventry City.

As proven by the Sky Blues, there is a vast array of experienced, talented players ready to drop down from the Premier League into the lower leagues. Usefully for Wolves, there are three defenders that I think could provide the versatility, ability and know-how to shore up the team’s backline in this busy period.

Marcin Wasilewski

I think that the powerful, strong Pole would be an astute signing for the club. As well as regularly featuring for Leicester in the Nigel Pearson era, Wasilewski enjoyed a successful period in the Belgian top flight playing for Anderlecht.

24 January 2015 FA Cup fourth round - Tottenham Hotspur v Leicester City ;  Marcin Wasilewski of Leicester. Photo: Mark Leech

Wasilewski in action for Leicester.

The 35-year-old has vast big-game experience having played in European fixtures, helped by his impressive 60 appearances for Poland.

Wasilewski is capable of playing either centre-back or right-back, and a solid 38 goals in just under 400 games in club football represents a good return for a defender. With Danny Batth ironically the senior head of the backline at the age of 25, I think Wasilewski could be crucial in pulling this young Wolves side back up the table.

Adrian Mariappa

The Crystal Palace defender would be a useful addition for any Championship side. The Jamaica international was at one point captain of Watford, and played 216 games for them, including a season-long stay in the Premier League. His leadership qualities could be vital in motivating a seemingly downtrodden squad.

Although he is not the tallest of central defenders – standing at under six-foot – Mariappa is renowned for his pace, something Wolves miss in the centre of defence due to the absence of Stearman. With only a season left to run on his current contract at Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace may be willing to let him go.

Ryan Bennett

Bennett once cost Norwich City a cool £3.2m, having been regularly praised for his performances for Grimsby Town and then Peterborough United. The former England Under-21 international is used to playing the attacking, flowing style that Kenny Jackett desires, having played under Darren Ferguson at the Posh, and then Chris Hughton at Carrow Road.

He is tall, which is useful for a central defender, and his good aerial ability makes up for his lack of pace and is a useful trait for this very physical league. Bennett has yet to feature for the Canaries this season, which may be owing to a muscular injury that he picked up in August, but he has since recovered. Norwich may see a loan as a good way for Bennett to return to full match fitness.

 
Brought to you by Shoot!

One response to “3 players Wolves could bring in to shore up their defence”

  1. my response says:

    I just want to say I am just beginner to blogging and site-building and honestly loved this page. Almost certainly I’m want to bookmark your blog . You absolutely come with fabulous articles and reviews. Appreciate it for revealing your web-site.