What Wolves need to prepare for the Championship ahead of Sunderland test

Relegation may have only been officially confirmed last week, but dire defeats to West Ham and Leeds left Wolves on the brink, while an uninspiring loss to Spurs has made matters worse.

Despite some hope in a great escape prior to that, Wolves have been planning for the drop for some time, hence the work they did in the January transfer window to begin preparations with the squad.

The club are also starting to move on interest in potential summer signings, with James Tavernier and Dan Neil free agent options.

But before fans can truly focus on what is to come next, they are instead concerned about Wolves' final four games of the season.

After Rob Edwards had undoubtedly made Wolves harder to beat and more competitive, the team has hit another slump with recent defeats, which has led to criticism from fans towards Edwards.

The head coach has lost some faith from the terraces and has limited time to make an impact this season, ahead of a vital summer for the club.

Newly-promoted Sunderland come to Molineux next and despite their impressive campaign as they battle for a top half finish, it is an opportunity for Wolves and Edwards to put fresh failures right in front of their own fans.

Edwards cut a frustrated figure following the loss to Spurs, which resulted in Molineux boos, but the head coach is striving for something to cheer as they take on the Black Cats.

"As hard as it is, we want to create a feel-good factor here and a bit of a more positive outlook and energy around the place," he said.

"For people looking on from the outside, potential players, potential signings, that they can see what we're trying to do and that this is a place that could be for them as well.

"It is important for a number of reasons.

"For the supporters as well to try and look forward to next season and back us and believe in us as well. For so many reasons it's important that we remain as competitive as possible.

"Being competitive and fighting until the very end is really important."

Edwards will have another option at his disposal as Yerson Mosquera returns from his two-match suspension.

The defender was given an avoidable yellow card against West Ham, making it 10 for the season, meaning he missed the subsequent defeats to Leeds and Spurs.

Ladislav Krejci missed the Spurs game with a neck injury, as Matt Doherty came back into the side, and Mosquera is now an option for an immediate recall to bolster the back line.

Edwards will also need to assess how he can make Wolves better offensively, after a poor showing last time out.

Mateus Mane is an option to stay in the side, but Edwards will be keen for a bigger impact from the teenager, while Wolves need to find a way to get Adam Armstrong more involved.

That could result in a recall to the starting XI for Tolu Arokodare, who last started a Premier League game on February 22.

The physical striker has had an underwhelming season and was also recently involved in a dressing room bust-up with Mane, but Edwards may need to turn to him to give the forward line a different look and help support Armstrong.