Wolverhampton Wanderers U23 coach James Collins has hailed Owen Hesketh for forcing his way into the club’s Premier League 2 plans in recent weeks, speaking to the club’s official website.
With former Bayern Munich youngster Meritan Shabani heading out on loan to VVV Venlo in the January transfer window, the door opened for an 18-year-old Welshman to make a name for himself during the final few months of the season.
And he’s certainly on the right track.
Hesketh has started three of Wolves’ past four games at U23 level, scoring against Norwich and Stoke City.
The former Manchester City youngster, who idolises Paul Scholes, has stepped effortlessly into the role vacated by Shabani – and Collins is thrilled to see him rise to the challenge.
“Owen Hesketh is the main one who has pushed himself up into our group,” says Collins, who has seen the likes of Owen Otasowie and Fabio Silva handed first-team opportunities this season.
“(Hesketh) is now a regular part of the U23s and that’s all part of the progression plan we have for players. If we’d kept players like Meritan here instead of going on loan, it might have posed a barrier for Owen to get through.
“We’ve opened those doors to the better U18s coming through and given them the opportunity, but it’s up to them to take it. Owen already has, but I’m sure others will follow his example.”
Collins is also backing Jack Scott, another 18-year-old, to snare a starting berth on the right-hand side after Oskar Buur and Luke Matheson joined Shabani in heading out on loan.
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