Bruno Lage has discussed the possibility of re-calling Dion Sanderson from his loan spell at Birmingham City ahead of Wolves’ Premier League defensive crisis, as reported by the Birmingham Mail.
When asked about the prospect of Sanderson returning to Molineux ahead of schedule recently, Birmingham boss Lee Bowyer was left feeling rather puzzled.
“I don’t see why (they would bring him back),” Bowyer said.
“I’m not concerned about that. I don’t see why Wolves would call him back when he is settled here, playing, doing well, improving. I think it’s a good challenge for him to be at this club.”
Bowyer has a point.
And, as the Birmingham Mail make clear, Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Bruno Lage does not exactly want to bring a premature end to Sanderson’s spell at St Andrews.
Romain Saiss, however, will jet off for the African Cup of Nations in January.
He’ll be joined by Willy Boly, the Ivorian giant who hasn’t played a league game in 17 months.
This, coupled with Yerson Mosquera’s own fitness problems, means Wolves are facing a defensive crisis heading into the New Year.
As a result, the Black Country giants may have no choice but to consider a re-call for Sanderson.
Will Dion Sanderson return to Wolves in January?
Lage and his coaching staff are discussing bringing the 21-year-old back, even if there is a realisation that it would not be in the defender’s ‘best interests’.
Sanderson, after all, is likely to be viewed at Wolves as a back-up option rather than a guaranteed starter, someone to be pushed back to the fringes once Saiss and Boly return.
Sanderson enjoyed a fine spell at Sunderland last term and was linked with summer moves to Crystal Palace and Newcastle United.
He has helped Birmingham keep six clean sheets in his 13 Championship appearances thus far.
“If that’s what Wolves want me to do then I am happy to do that,” the youngster said in November when asked about a potential Molineux return.
“The most important thing is getting game time. I like to think I am doing well whenever I am called upon.”
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