Wolves close in on Mancienne

The 21-year-old defender is due in Wolverhampton tomorrow with a view to sealing a season-long loan switch from Stamford Bridge.

If all goes to plan, a deal could be completed for Mancienne to be available for Saturday's Premier League opener against West Ham.

It is understood the England under-21 international has already looked at properties in the area, as he looks to re-settle in the city following his loan spell at Wolves last season.

Mancienne is in Stuart Pearce's 19-man squad in their friendly against Holland in Groningen tonight, but he will return tomorrow to begin the process of completing his next stint at Molineux.

The player was so impressive in his 10-match spell at Molineux last winter – when Wolves conceded just six goals in his eight starts – that he was included in Fabio Capello's England squad for a friendly against Germany, although he didn't play.

He is set to move to the club at a time when manager Mick McCarthy has decided not to pursue his interest in fellow defender Bobo Balde.

The 33-year-old former Celtic stopper collected his boots at the weekend and is now seeking another club.

McCarthy is weighing up his options in central defence, after admitting Ronald Zubar - his £2.5million summer signing from Marseille - isn't up to speed.

This leaves Richard Stearman, Jody Craddock and Christophe Berra – currently away with Scotland – vying for the two centre-back spots.

Chelsea boss Carlos Ancelotti has recently been prepared to allow some of his younger players out on loan and last week allowed winger Scott Sinclair to join Wigan.

Mancienne appears to be next out of the exit door, after Ricardho Carvalho's decision to turn down Inter Milan and remain at Stamford Bridge.

This meant Mancienne failed to make Chelsea's squad for Sunday's Community Shield match against Manchester United.