Carabao Cup: Sheffield Wednesday 0-2 Wolves - Saheed Olagunju scores for visitors on debut Wolverhampton Wanderers defeated Sheffield Wednesday 2-0 in the second round of the Carabao Cup, with 19-year-old defender Saheed Olagunju scoring on his senior debut for the Championship side. The match, played at Hillsborough, saw Wolves secure a comfortable victory over the League One visitors, who struggled to mount a meaningful threat despite a much-changed lineup. Olagunju’s goal came in the first half, following a defensive error by Wednesday, while Wolves’ second goal was a powerful header from Tommy Doyle’s free-kick in stoppage time. The result advanced Wolves to the third round of the competition. The first goal for Wolves came in the third minute after Sheffield Wednesday’s keeper, Joe Lumley, parried Tawanda Chirewa’s shot. The ball rebounded off Owls teammate Sil Swinkels and trickled into the net, leaving the visitors reeling. The hosts’ early lead was compounded by their inability to challenge Wolves’ goalkeeper, Jose Sa, who made several crucial saves. Wednesday’s much-changed squad, which included several substitutes, failed to create clear chances, with Harry Gray’s effort being the closest they came in the first half. Gray’s free-kick, awarded after being tripped by Boubacar Traore, was well saved by Sa. Olagunju’s debut goal came in the 44th minute, as he powerfully headed in Tommy Doyle’s inviting free-kick. The 19-year-old, who joined Wolves from Chelsea in 2024, doubled the lead in first-half stoppage time, capitalizing on a defensive lapse by Wednesday. Wolves’ control of the match remained unchallenged, with their midfield and defense dictating the flow of play.#wolverhampton_wanderers #carabao_cup #tommy_doyle #sheffield_wednesday #saheed_olagunju
Birmingham City: 3 Midfielders to Target Amid Tommy Doyle Uncertainty Birmingham City faces the need to address its central midfield options as the possibility of Tommy Doyle’s permanent stay at the club diminishes. The 25-year-old midfielder, currently on loan from Wolves, is unlikely to remain beyond the current season, prompting the club to explore replacements ahead of the summer transfer window. With the Blues struggling to secure a playoff spot in the Championship and questions surrounding manager Chris Davies’ future, the focus will be on strengthening the midfield to support their ambitions for the upcoming campaign. The club’s disappointing 2025/26 season has raised doubts about their ability to compete consistently in the top flight. Despite making high-profile signings, Birmingham City has failed to establish itself as a genuine play-off contender, leaving the hierarchy to consider significant investments in key areas. Central midfield is a priority, and with Doyle’s loan deal not including a buyout clause, the Blues will need to identify alternatives to fill the void left by his potential departure. Victor Torp of Coventry City is one player under consideration. The 23-year-old midfielder has shown flashes of brilliance, particularly during the first half of the season, but his minutes have decreased since Frank Onyeka joined the squad. Torp’s ability to deliver long-range shots and create opportunities could complement Birmingham City’s attacking options. However, with Torp under contract until 2027, a loan move seems the most viable option for the Blues to bring him in without long-term financial commitments. Freddie Potts of West Ham United is another potential target.#west_ham_united #coventry_city #chris_davies #birmingham_city #tommy_doyle
Wolves assessing loan midfielder Tommy Doyle for potential return next season Wolverhampton Wanderers are evaluating the possibility of re-signing loan midfielder Tommy Doyle ahead of the 2025/26 season, according to reports from ExpressAndStar.com. The 24-year-old has spent the current campaign on loan at Birmingham City, making 38 appearances across all competitions but failing to establish himself as a regular starter in the Blues’ squad. Birmingham City retains an obligation to buy Doyle, which could influence Wolves’ decision-making. Wolves currently sit at the bottom of the Premier League table and are widely expected to be relegated to the second tier. Head coach Rob Edwards, who previously worked with Doyle during his tenure with the England under-20 team, has not yet confirmed whether the midfielder will return to Molineux. However, the club’s interest in securing Doyle’s services appears to be growing, particularly given the player’s experience and familiarity with the team’s system. Doyle’s loan spell at Birmingham has been marked by limited opportunities, with the club prioritizing younger players in key positions. Despite his efforts, he has not secured a consistent role in the starting XI, which has led to speculation about his future. The obligation to buy clause, which is part of his loan agreement, adds another layer of complexity to Wolves’ plans. If the transfer is finalized, Doyle would become a permanent fixture at Wolves, potentially providing a much-needed boost to their midfield options. The potential return of Doyle would also be significant for Wolves’ rebuilding efforts, as the club looks to strengthen its squad ahead of the relegation battle.#wolverhampton_wanderers #premier_league #birmingham_city #tommy_doyle #rob_edwards
Tommy Doyle's future looks set to return to Wolverhampton Wanderers after Birmingham City's relegation to the Championship dashed hopes of a permanent transfer. The midfielder, who spent the 2023-24 season on loan at St Andrew's, had been expected to join the Blues on a permanent basis if they secured promotion. However, Birmingham's latest defeat to Derby County ended their play-off hopes, leaving Doyle's fate uncertain. Both Wolves and Birmingham City will compete in the Championship next season, making Doyle's transfer a matter of mutual interest. Blues manager Chris Davies acknowledged the possibility of Doyle returning to his parent club, stating, "The obvious thing would be that he would go back to his parent club. We haven’t really gone that far to discuss that." However, Davies emphasized that the decision would depend on the next six weeks, though the window for Birmingham to secure promotion has effectively closed. Doyle's loan spell at Birmingham was marked by mixed fortunes. He became a regular in the squad between November and January, but a poor run of form in the latter part of the season, including a red card against Sheffield United, limited his playing time. Despite his contributions, Davies admitted the balance in the midfield was off, leading to the signing of Colombian defender Jhon Solis. Doyle has since started just one of Birmingham's last 10 Championship games, raising questions about his role moving forward. Wolves, meanwhile, have shown interest in re-signing Doyle, with assistant head coach Paul Trollope observing his performance against Middlesbrough. Wolves manager Rob Edwards, who chose not to attend the match, is focused on building a team capable of securing promotion.#wolverhampton_wanderers #chris_davies #birmingham_city #tommy_doyle #paul_trollope
