Express & Star

Leander Dendoncker easing into new Wolves role

Leander Dendoncker admitted it has not been easy adapting to his new defensive role at Wolves.

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The Belgian midfielder could make his seventh consecutive start on the right of the back three for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side against West Ham. And he stressed he is giving his all for the cause.

He said: “It’s more defensive, but it’s not easy. It takes time to adapt. I’m trying to do my best, but it’s not always easy.

“I’m trying to give my best for the team and I’ll always try to keep on doing that. I’m ready whenever he needs me.”

Due to injuries to senior defenders Willy Boly (ankle) and Ryan Bennett (groin) Dendoncker, 24, moved into the central defensive role for the second half of the 1-1 draw at Newcastle United in October.

He has retained the shirt ever since as Wolves climbed to sixth in the Premier League and clinched a spot in the final 32 of the Europa League. And Dendoncker says Nuno’s men are up for the battle as they prepare for their third game in seven days.

He said: “It’s difficult because we don’t have a lot of days to recover. When you have a difficult game like the one in Portugal (last Thursday), the pitch was very bad, (but) we’ve seen on Sunday (against Sheffield United) that we are physically ready.

“(There is) another tough game coming up but we have to try to win because it’s a home game and I hope the fans will be there again.”