Rob Edwards challenges loan defender to break into Wolves team | OneFootball

Rob Edwards says Nigel Lonwijk will be handed a pre-season chance to impress, challenging the defender to prove he can play for Wolves, according to ExpressAndStar.com.

The 23-year-old signed a new one-year extension last summer, taking his deal to 2027, then joined Luton on loan and made 45 appearances in all competitions.

Since the conclusion of the League One season, Lonwijk has been back training with Wolves alongside fellow loanees Tommy Doyle and Tawanda Chirewa.

Edwards noted Lonwijk’s run of games at Luton and said it was positive to see him in that environment. He added that Chirewa’s campaign was disrupted by injuries, making it stop-start, and that it was useful to have them back for recent sessions.

Lonwijk is yet to make his senior debut for Wolves, but he has had three League One seasons across six loans, featuring for Huddersfield Town, Wycombe Wanderers and Plymouth Argyle. He won the third-tier title with Plymouth in 2022/23, playing 41 times.

Asked if the next step is Wolves in the Championship next season, Edwards said that is what Lonwijk will want. The onus is on him to show the staff, he will get that opportunity and coaches will then assess. Edwards said they aim to build a strong, competitive squad for a challenging league, and that Lonwijk has made a good first impression, with time to tell.

Beyond Lonwijk, Doyle and Chirewa, no other loanee has returned to train with Wolves in the remaining weeks of the Premier League season after their loan campaigns ended.

Source: ExpressAndStar.com