Wolves relief as no op needed for Ethan Ebanks-Landell

It was feared the 22-year-old might be ruled out for up to four months after a scan picked up the injury in his left foot.

But after seeing a specialist yesterday, it was decided the fracture in his fifth metatarsal is small enough not to require surgery.

The centre-back is still likely to face between four and six weeks on the sidelines, but it means a significantly-reduced headache for boss Kenny Jackett, who nevertheless now finds himself severely lacking in defensive cover.

While Ebanks-Landell has had to settle for a place on the bench in recent weeks, he remains the main back-up behind first-choice central defensive pairing of Danny Batth and Kortney Hause.

Jackett will still consider a move into the loan market for a centre-back to cover the gap but hinted he may now hold back, unless anything happens to his first-choice pair.

"We have to be aware of what centre-backs are in the market and who we could get quickly if one of our first-choice centre-backs was injured," said the head coach.

"Being aware of exactly what is out there and what we can do very quickly is the most important thing.

"Should we need to move at least we know we have the type of player who can come in, whether it be short-term or long-term to help our team."

Surgery would have kept Ebanks-Landell sidelined for between 12 and 15 weeks.

"Having visited the consultant, it is the better of the two potential scenarios for Ethan in that the fracture is considered small enough not to require surgery," said the club's head of medical Phil Hayward.

"We will carefully manage the recovery process which will initially involve reducing the amount of load the bone is exposed to, but if all goes well he is expected to be on the sidelines for between four and six weeks."