Shropshire Star

Wolves chance for Telford's Ben O'Hanlon

Telford's Ben O'Hanlon gets his big chance as Wolves boss Kenny Jackett vowed to continue promoting youth by handing debuts to two young prospects.

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Left-back O'Hanlon and Dominic Iorfa, whose only senior football has come in a loan spell at Shrewsbury Town, will start in tonight's friendly at Oxford United.

The academy graduates step up after Euesbio Bancessi and Declan Weeks were handed their chance on the pre-season tour of Ireland.

Hopes are high that O'Hanlon, 18, can continue the rise to prominence which saw him gain England recognition at Under-18s level last season.

"Ben came out of the youth team last season and I haven't seen a lot of him," said Jackett.

"He started with an injury last year but he played for England Under-18s last season and now he's fully fit.

"He didn't get enough chances in the Under-21s when he perhaps should have done.

"But these are the sort of games to see how he does, as it will be for quite a few of the young players.

"We need to put them in a first-team environment against League opposition with players who have played in the League for us.

"Iorfa will play, but the rest have been seen at this level and Eusebio came on on Saturday.

"We want to get everyone games, starts and 90 minutes. They have the opportunity to force their way into the first team.

"We need to see what we have got and pre-season is a time when you can do that."

Oxford, managed by former Albion coach Michael Appleton, will provide good opposition in Wolves' final away friendly before Celta Vigo visit Molineux on Saturday. The Championship kick-off is against Norwich on August 10.

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