The Wolves pups hoping to make the main pack

Alongside the plan to create players for the first team, the academy’s goal is also to create careers for players at all levels of the game.

Not every player with huge potential will go on to make it at Wolves or the highest level, but a select few of up-and-coming stars are the ones Wolves currently think have a great chance of making it.

Wes Okoduwa

The 16-year-old earned a lot of attention last season when he was named on the bench in the Premier League, aged just 15 at the time.

The right-back was an unused substitute for several top flight games and Wolves faced a fight to keep him this summer as Chelsea swooped for his signature.

But the England youth player turned down the London side to sign on as a first year scholar at Wolves and has regularly played for the under-21s this season.

For his age, he is physically suited to the modern game and has impressed with his athletic ability.

Okoduwa’s recent performance against Wrexham in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy proved he still has plenty to learn regarding his ball retention and defensive positioning, but he is a promising talent that Wolves hope will break into the first team in the coming years.

Mateus Mane

Signed from Rochdale towards the end of last season, Mane has had experience with both the under-21s and under-18s.

The Portuguese-born forward has represented both Portugal and England at youth levels and at 17-years-old he is shining in Wolves’ academy ranks.

He is a natural goalscorer who can play across the front line and catches the eye by beating opponents with his direct and skilful running.

He sniffs out chances and is intelligent with his positioning.

Mane still has work to do to improve his physical condition and Wolves are putting him through his paces with a speed coach and a strength and conditioning coach to add more muscle strength and power.

Luke Rawlings

Alongside Okoduwa, Rawlings was given a big opportunity in pre-season as he joined the first team on their overseas tours.

The 16-year-old midfielder possesses impressive technical ability and has consistently stepped up to new challenges.

This season, he is switching between the under-18s and under-21s to expose him to different types of games, in order to improve his confidence and experience. Like Mane, he is also working on his physical attributes.

He is still training with the first team, however, and was an unused substitute in Wolves’ 2-0 Carabao Cup win over Burnley in August.

Lewys Benjamin

The towering goalkeeper was another player taken on pre-season with the first team as he is further exposed to the elite side of the game.

Aged just 17, Benjamin received his first call up for the Wales under-21s side this international break.

Snapped up from Cardiff, the shot-stopper is working closely with Wolves’ goalkeeping department and is often seen warming up with the first team contingent at Molineux.