Wolves to target centre-back in January in bid to sort league’s worst defence

Exclusive: First team currently operating with just three centre-backs following Yerson Mosquera’s season-ending injury in September

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Wolves are looking to prioritise the signing of a new centre-back in the January transfer window to fix their leaky defence.
Gary O’Neil, the club’s head coach, has endured a difficult start to the Premier League season and Wolves are planning ahead with funds to be made available to sign a defender early next year, either permanently or on loan.
Wolves have conceded a league-high 27 goals this season and expect to be without Yerson Mosquera for the remainder of the campaign after the Colombian sustained a serious knee injury in the 3-1 defeat at Aston Villa in September.
O’Neil has only three senior centre-backs in Craig Dawson, Santiago Bueno and Toti Gomes, while teenager Bastien Meupiyou is yet to make an appearance since signing from Nantes.
It is also understood Santiago Bueno is doubtful for this weekend’s game at Fulham after returning to Wolves early from international duty with Uruguay to be assessed over a minor injury.
Wolves have come under fire from fans for not signing an extra centre-back in the summer, following the £40 million sale of captain Max Kilman to West Ham.
Sporting director Matt Hobbs explained their strategy to Telegraph Sport in September, arguing the club model was designed for a young player to gain experience and then step in when required.
However, the injury to Mosquera has now forced a shift in their transfer policy and it has been agreed that a new centre-back is the No 1 priority in January. Wolves do not expect to make any further additions, with the club still determined to work on a tight budget.
Hugo Bueno, the left-back, is on loan at Feyenoord but there is no option to recall him in January.
O’Neil, meanwhile, is facing a pivotal sequence of fixtures after easing the uncertainty over his future before the international break with a 2-0 win over Southampton.
Wolves travel to Craven Cottage this weekend before facing O’Neil’s former club Bournemouth at home. Wolves then play away games at Everton and West Ham — currently managed by former Wolves head coach Julen Lopetegui — before facing two promoted clubs Ipswich and Leicester.
With the club still in the bottom three, Wolves are still seriously concerned by the start to the season and expect an improvement in results.
However, O’Neil secured draws against Brighton and Crystal Palace before the win over Southampton, with the club currently 19th in the table.
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