Feature: Wolves' loan players – how are they doing?

No fewer than 27 have been sent out with the aim of providing them more game time.

A fair few are struggling for minutes though. Here, Joe Edwards takes a look at how some of them are doing.

DANNY BATTH (Middlesbrough, for the season)

Club captain Batth played 21 times last season as Wolves stormed to the Championship title, however it became clear at the start of this campaign that he was surplus to requirements.

An old-school head-it, clear-it defender, Batth seems like a fantastic fit for former Baggies chief Tony Pulis’s no-frills style of play at Middlesbrough, but he's barely featured so far.

He's only made one league appearance, as an 89th-minute substitute, and played the full 90 in a 2-2 penalty shoot-out win at Preston in the Carabao Cup.

Dominic Shaw, who covers Boro for the Middlesbrough Gazette, explained: "When he came in, it was a bit of a head-scratcher as Boro had three top defenders in Daniel Ayala, Aden Flint – signed to replace Ben Gibson – and England U21 international Dael Fry.

"Fry, Flint and Ayala started the season as a back three and were solid. Since then, Pulis has reverted to a back four with Ayala and Flint as the centre-halves and they have helped the team keep nine clean sheets – the best record in the Championship.

"When Batth came in, he ticked all the boxes in terms of his leadership and experience, but you wondered who he would replace and he has only played once in the league.

"I cannot imagine Batth, at 28, in his peak years, came here and wanted – or expected – to be a sub, but that is how it has worked out."

Pulis is a fan of Brierley Hill-born Batth, though, so he could find a way into the XI.

"Pulis has talked how he is brilliant around the place and a real leader,” added Shaw.

"He talks a lot about the three-game weeks and how he will have to use more of his squad as well so Batth may get more of an opportunity in the weeks to come.

"Ayala and Flint are definitely his go-to so it is hard to see him splitting them up.

"He has just got to take the chance with both hands when it comes.”

Batth is likely to come into the side for Boro's Carabao Cup clash at home to Crystal Palace tonight.

"This is a big opportunity for me," Batth said ahead of tonight's game.

"Any game at a new club when you get an opportunity to show the fans and the staff what you can do is great."

Of his lack of game time, Batth said: "I think it is just a reflection of how well the defence has been doing here.

"I think they have the best record in the country when it comes to keeping goals out and you can’t argue with that."

BRIGHT ENOBAKHARE (Kilmarnock, until January)

Perhaps the most left-field deal of all of Wolves' loanees, Enobakhare was sent to Scottish Premiership side Kilmarnock despite having been on the bench for Wolves' opening game of the season against Everton (before Adama Traore was signed).

The mercurial 20-year-old has since headed north of the border and, after three substitute appearances, has worked his way into the team and started Kilmarnock's last two games playing 90 minutes both times.

He impressed during a 1-1 draw against Hamilton on Saturday. Tom McConigley wrote in the Scottish Sun: "Bright Enobakhare certainly couldn’t be accused of making a sluggish start for the home side though as the on-loan Wolves ace was on top of his game from the first whistle.

"The silky winger beat his man three times in the first 10 minutes before he was hacked down in full flow by Accies ace Scott Martin."

With Killie a lofty second in the table, ahead of Celtic and Rangers, hopefully the talented youngster will now grow in confidence and start realising that undoubted potential.

JORDAN GRAHAM (Ipswich, for the season)

The 23-year-old winger only made three appearances for Fulham in the Championship on loan last term before being sent back to Wolves.

Graham is now at Ipswich and, on the bright side, he has already played more times than he did with the Craven Cottage club with four appearances in total and three starts.

This stint with the Tractor Boys could well be the last chance saloon for Graham in terms of his Wolves future. Can the arrival of former Molineux chief Paul Lambert – who managed Graham at both Wolves and Villa – bring a change in fortunes for the wide man?

JOE MASON (Portsmouth, until January)

Mason is back with Kenny Jackett, who brought him to Molineux in 2016.

A hard-worker who scored a fantastic goal at Birmingham during Walter Zenga’s reign, you would have backed Mason, who has had loans Burton and Colorado Rapids in the past couple of seasons, to make an impact in League One.

He has not been able to force his way into the Pompey team though.

Will Rooney, sports reporter at the Portsmouth News, said: “He can’t get in the team as Pompey are flying.

“Jackett thinks his best role is as a No.10 but Gareth Evans has played there so far, moving there from out wide for this season, and scored four goals. He’s been superb.

“Mason has only made one substitute appearance in the league and there hasn’t been enough time to really scrutinise him.

“He did well for the fourth goal against Gillingham in the Checkatrade Trophy – a jinking run and his shot being blocked before David Wheeler made the finish – but blazed a penalty well over the bar in the in the same competition against Crawley earlier this month.

“I’m sure he will be used at some point and Jackett would not hesitate to use him as he trusts him.

“Right now though, I’m not sure Pompey will look to extend his loan until after January as he needs regular football.”

CONNOR RONAN AND CONNOR JOHNSON (Walsall, Ronan until January and Johnson for the season)

Irish playmaker Ronan was seen as a potential first team star a couple of years ago but is now looking to kick-start his career following a fairly unproductive spell at Jackett’s Portsmouth.

Ball-playing defender Johnson has made the step up after a solid term under Rob Edwards, who is now back at Wolves as Under-23s boss, at non-league AFC Telford United.

Ronan has played six times in League One for the Saddlers while Johnson has not featured in the league, but impressed twice in the Checkatrade Trophy.

Express & Star Walsall reporter Joe Masi said: "Ronan made an impressive start to his Walsall spell with a man of the match display against Burton in the EFL Trophy and then helped them secure a good point against Barnsley.

"He came out of the team after that for tactical reasons and has been in and out since. He has looked very bright in spells and, at other times, has struggled to make his presence felt.

"Saddlers boss Dean Keates has been impressed by his attitude and ability so he should be a big part of the Walsall squad for the next two months.

"Johnson, meanwhile, has been a bit unlucky. He has only played in the EFL Trophy – against Burton and Middlesbrough – but looked really assured in both of those matches. He looks as if he will be ready when the chance does come."

THE REST

Benik Afobe is currently on loan at Stoke until January, when the Potters will fulfil their obligation to sign him permanently for £12m. He has netted four times in 15 Championship games.

Goalkeeper Harry Burgoyne is due to resume his loan at Plymouth next month following an ankle injury which has prevented him from getting any minutes thus far.

In the same division, League One, young Dutch winger Sherwin Seedorf has featured eight times in all competitions for bottom-of-the-table Bradford City, starting three times.

Welshman Aaron Collins scored for League Two outfit Colchester in a 2-0 Checkatrade Trophy victory against Southend earlier this month, but hasn't netted in six league appearances.

Defenders Ben Goodliffe and Aaron Hayden are in non-league with Dagenham & Redbridge and Stourbridge respectively.

Those loans are proving valuable to both youngsters as Goodliffe has played 12 times for the Daggers and Hayden has been a regular for the Glassboys.

Tomorrow – we focus on Wolves' overseas loan players