Crocked Jody Craddock reckons Wolves already have the squad to cope with the loss of two first-team defenders – regardless of their transfer plans before the deadline.

Craddock is out for anything up to three months after breaking a bone in his foot. Now he is joined on the sidelines by George Elokobi, who has far more worrying knee ligament damage to overcome.

To lose two key players is a tough blow for manager Mick McCarthy, which has added urgency to the club’s pursuit of new signings before the transfer window closes on Monday.

Watching from the sidelines, Craddock has seen enough to believe that, when he does get back, he will be rejoining a team still challenging at the top of the Championship – even if the club do not hit all their targets before the transfer window shuts.

He said: “We’ve got a strong squad designed to cope with injuries which you need in this division. Hopefully this is my injury over and done with. I can come back and be available again to help the team.

“It’s disappointing we have lost two defenders so soon but we’ve got the squad to deal with it.

“We’ve got first-team players who can come in and do a great job and we just need to keep winning games.”

He has been supporting Elokobi at a tough time for the 22-year-old Cameroon left back, who has suffered extensive ligament damage around a knee and is unlikely to figure much again this season.

Craddock added: “This is nothing compared to what has happened to George. It’s unfortunate but he’s a young lad who will get through it.”