Wolves may ease their logjam of left-backs by allowing George Friend to leave on loan.

The 21-year-old is competing for a place with fit-again George Elokobi, Stephen Ward and Matt Hill for the number three shirt next season.

Friend has made just six League appearances since his initial £350,000 move from Exeter 10 months ago.

Now the youngster concedes he may have to opt for a temporary move to continue his first team education.

He said: “If I’m not playing next year, then it has been suggested I could go out on loan, preferably to a Championship club.

“But hopefully I can get myself established in the team. If I really push, then maybe I’ll make the England under-21 squad.

“I am really just trying to see how far I can go.”

Wolves players return for the start of pre-season training on Monday and Friend insists all players have been handed a clean slate by boss Mick McCarthy.

The defender said: “We were all told we have a clean slate, and selection next season will depend upon how we perform once we return to pre-season training.”

Senior figures at Molineux believe 23-year-old Elokobi has huge potential and can play in the Premier League, especially after confirming his return to fitness over the summer after eight months out with cruciate knee ligament reconstruction.

But utility man Ward did a sterling job in his absence, playing 42 League games – mostly at left-back – while the more experienced Hill, 28, also figured in 13.

Wolves still have defenders Jason Shackell and Darren Ward on the transfer list.

But there have been no offers for the duo, with relegation for Norwich and Charlton respectively meaning their wages are now out of reach of their revised League One budgets.