Former Wolves midfielder Dave Edwards has said that he would love to see Conor Coady back in the squad for next season.
The 30-year-old is coming back to Molineux this summer, after Everton declined to sign him permanently.
Coady had spent the season on loan at Goodison Park and the expectation a few months ago was that they would trigger their £4.5 million buy option.
But Coady lost prominence at the club following the arrival of Sean Dyche.
He barely featured for the Toffees in 2023, and is now having talks about his immediate future.
Coady went on the radio last night to shed some light on what’s happening with him right now. He has said that he is in talks with Wolves to find out what they want.
It remains to be seen if Julen Lopetegui will want Coady as part of his squad.
One would imagine he might, because the very least Coady is an exceptional leader and the Spaniard has placed great emphasis on having leaders in his dressing room since his arrival.
But there are still question marks about Coady playing in a back four.
Coady would also likely want to be a regular starter. The reason he left Wolves last year was because he lost his starting berth under Bruno Lage, who changed up the formation.
In the eyes of Edwards, Coady may be willing to be a part of the squad due to potentially being in a different head space now.
He wrote in his latest Express & Star column: “I really believe he’s one of the most important people to pull on a Wolves shirt since Steve Bull.
“He’s a huge part of the team and does so much in the community. I’m not just saying this because he’s a friend of mine and I think highly of him, but I’d love to see him back.
“He’s probably in a different stage of his career now, compared to when he left with his England and World Cup ambitions, and I imagine his head space is different now.
“I imagine he’ll be more willing to come back to Wolves and fight for his shirt. From a Wolves point of view, when Coady, Romain Saiss and John Ruddy left – some real leaders – Wolves struggled.
“In particular, there needs to be more of a British influence in that dressing room. They have some of that, but Coady is experienced and he’ll help drive the standards in the dressing room.
“It would be a no-brainer to bring him back in, for me.”
Molineux legend Steve Bull also believes Coady should be reintegrated.
Conor Coady may well be willing to fight for his place at Wolves
This is an interesting point from Edwards.
Coady said on the radio last night that the desire to make England’s World Cup squad played a big part in his decision to leave Molineux.
Obviously next term there will be no mid-season tournament.
So Coady could well be in a different head space now, as Edwards suggests.
If Lopetegui does see him as a player for his squad, then maybe Coady could wear the Wolves shirt once again next season.