In recent times, a string of young players have been given first-team opportunities at Wolves.
Last term, injuries to key first-teamers meant that Gary O’Neil turned to several youngsters in the Premier League and FA Cup.
After handing Nathan Fraser his debut earlier in the season in the Carabao Cup, O’Neil then called on the likes of Tawanda Chirewa and Leon Chiwome.
Prior to last season, the likes of Luke Cundle, Hugo Bueno, Joe Hodge, Chem Campbell and Dexter Lembikisa were all given chances.
So it’s been clear that there are routes to the first-team at Molineux, and if you are good enough, you are old enough.
And one player who may soon be deemed good enough, is Mateus Mane.
Mateus Mane looks a top prospect as he hits hat-trick for Wolves U17s
Earlier this year, Wolves signed Mateus Mane from non-league Rochdale.
The starlet had never made a first-team appearance for them, but did make one matchday squad after impressing in the academy. He was previously described as having been ‘fantastic’ for their youth team by manager Jimmy McNulty.
Wolves swooped for Mane in March and by all accounts, he has made a good start to life at the club.
On his debut for the U18s, Mane scored and came in for praise afterwards from manager Richard Walker, who said: “I thought he was excellent; we know his hunger for the game and his hunger to learn and I think that is evident in the way he plays.”
Last night, the U17s were in action against Leicester City in the PL Cup, and Mane took centre-stage by scoring a hat-trick. Myles Dayman also scored in the 4-1 win.
Mane has also been productive for the Wolves U18s this term. So far he has scored two goals and also made two assists in the first three games.
His strike against Blackburn Rovers was especially well taken, as he fired in from the edge of the area with his left foot.
Mane one to watch
It seems like Wolves could be sitting on a rough diamond with Mane.
He now has three goals and three assists in five games in total for the U18s since joining the club, and Mane is also an England youth international, having played three games this calendar year.
There has been a willingness in recent times to hand chances to young players, and Mane will surely be buoyed by that.
He just needs to keep his head down and keep doing what he’s doing.
Should he do that, then it won’t be long before he is invited to train with the first-team, if he hasn’t already had a few sessions.