Wolves left-back George Friend is determined to go out on loan again after seeing his Southend deal collapse due to the Shrimpers’ financial woes.

The 22-year-old endured a 15-hour round trip to Carlisle for nothing after being prevented from playing by the Football League, because of Southend’s crippling debts.

Both clubs had agreed to extend Friend’s move to Roots Hall where he played six games in a month, scoring once.

But under new Football League rules, Southend have been prevented from taking Friend – or anyone – until payment of around £670,000 in unpaid tax is settled with her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs.

The club faced a winding up order today.

Friend is happy to be back at Molineux but said today: “I’m glad to be back here training, but I think on loan is where I need to be at the moment. I need to be playing.

“I need to be out there building up some more experience before hopefully coming back here to challenge for the team. I need to go out and prove myself on loan.”

“We took the chance for the Carlisle game and went up for the game.

“It took us seven-and-a-half hours to get there and then the confirmation came through (that he couldn’t play) on Friday evening so it was a wasted journey. It was just unfortunate both for me and for the club.”