Sheffield Wednesday linked with highly-rated Wolves youngster as Owls look to boost defence

With the club short on options in the centre-back position, Sheffield Wednesday are reportedly considering a move for Wolves defender Lewis Richards, with League Two side Harrogate Town also interested, according to Football League World. The 20-year-old made eight appearances for the Sulphrites on-loan for the second half of last season in a spell plagued with injury problems for the defender.

Despite operating primarily as a central defender, he has also shown some versatility, being deployed as a left-back within a solid back four, whilst he was also tasked with playing slightly more advanced in a wing-back role on several occasions for Wolves’ U23 side. The left-footed defender has been a part of the Wanderers’ set-up since the age of 15, having joined from Brentford’s academy.

Richards is still highly-rated at his parent club, Wolves. His ability to play across a back four or five could prove a great asset to Darren Moore, who looks favourably upon players with such ability, having re-signed Jack Hunt this week for his versatility.

The Wolves man has also played for Ireland at the Under-19 and Under-21 level while making 77 appearances for the youth sides at Molineux while regularly featuring on the bench for the senior side in the 2020/21 Premier League campaign. With three centre-backs departing Hillsborough this summer in the form of Chey Dunkley, Jordan Storey and Harlee Dean, Moore will be looking to add strength-in-depth with Ben Heneghan joining from AFC Wimbledon last week.

Wanderers will be looking for another loan deal for Richards to further his development, and a step up to League One with Wednesday would be a natural progression for the Irishman, who will be searching for regular game time at the