Wolves have appointed former Wrexham No 2 Steve Weaver in a new role as a development coach to maximise the potential of the club’s 18-21s age bracket.

The 35-year-old was one of the first coaches to achieve the coveted UEFA Pro License and served the Red Dragons for 20 years, before leaving in January when Brian Little took charge.

Weaver is the latest addition to boss Mick McCarthy’s backroom staff alongside assistant manager Ian Evans, first team coach Terry Connor, goalkeeping coach Bobby Mimms, fitness coach Tony Daley and chief scout Dave Bowman.

McCarthy said: “Steve will be monitoring the middle group – coaching the young lads not in the first team squad. He’ll also watch them if they go out on loan and will be the link between the Academy and the first team.

“He knows the role and we have put him in place to ensure the best possibility for our young players, to bridge the gap between the academy and the first team.”

Formerly assistant to Brian Carey at the Racecourse, Weaver headed the club’s school of excellence and performed several roles before being appointed number two in January 2007.

He said: “I’m really excited about it. It’s a new role at Wolves although it’s one a lot of clubs are looking at now.

“It’s to focus on the 18, 19 ,20-year-olds not quite in the first team or have been sent out on loan.

“It’s just a case of making sure they’re looked after and being catered for, whether it be here or at another club.

“If they’re not in the first team then we have to work with them, to try to get them into a position where they are ready.

“Or with those sent out on loan, making sure I get to watch their games and assess their progress, making sure they are still remembered.

“Even in those case, there may well be the chance for some of them to train here to work on certain things. It’s all about finding the right balance.”