Lage can unearth Wolves' next Doherty in "rapid" rarely-seen 18 y/o who's like Hakimi - opinion

Wolves currently find themselves in the midst of somewhat of a crisis at right-back with both Nelson Semedo and Ki-Jana Hoever sidelined with thigh injuries.

Luckily it appears as though the former could be back in contention after the international break whilst there is still no clear time frame on the latter’s return to action.

The injuries have meant that usual left-back Jonny Otto has had to play out of position at right-wing-back, with manager Bruno Lage not having a third senior option.

However, the West Midlands club does have an exciting young right-back coming through the ranks in 18-year-old Harry Birtwistle.

Birtwistle, who is of both British and Singaporean descent, signed his first professional contract back in October and has seriously impressed for Wolves’ U23s.

The right-back has made a combined 19 appearances for the U23s in both the Premier League 2 and EFL Trophy, scoring three goals and assisting twice with Wolves U23s currently sat third in the Premier League 2 Division 2 table.

Last season, the 18-year-old made 23 appearances for the U18s, impressing regularly and thus being handed a chance for the U23s, an opportunity that’s certainly been grabbed with both hands.

When Birtwistle signed his contract five months ago, Scott Sellars, Wolves technical director, said: “Looking forward, Harry needs to keep performing for the under-23s to a high standard and, when January comes, we will assess where he is in his journey; whether he needs to go out on loan or stay here and work with the under-23s and first-team.”

There’s certainly a pathway to the first-team for the young Singaporean, as well as his teammates in the U23s squad, but if injuries continue to be an issue for Wolves’ wing-backs, a first-team