'Wasn't meant to be sub'- Wolves coach explains why 15yo son of ex-Super Eagles star was named in squad  

Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Gary O'Neil has cleared the air on why Wesley Okoduwa was named in the matchday squad for his side's Premier League clash against Newcastle United at St James' Park on Saturday. 

Had he come off the bench, Okoduwa would have made history as the youngest-ever player to represent Wolverhampton Wanderers in an official game and would have become the second 15-year-old to feature in the Premier League after Arsenal attacking midfielder Ethan Nwaneri. 

An England U16 international, Wesley is the son of retired Nigeria international striker Emmanuel Okoduwa, well known for his stint in Ukraine with Arsenal Kyiv, for whom he scored 38 goals in 110 appearances 

O’Neil revealed that Okoduwa received his first call up for a first team game only because he has a thin squad at the moment with some players sidelined by injuries.

The Anglo-Nigerian right-back would have worn the number 61 at the back of his jersey if he had made his Premier League debut. 

On Okoduwa making the match squad, Gary O'Neil told Wolves official webpage: "Wes missed school yesterday to come with us and sit on the bench today but he's trained really well, he’s physically very good, so it’s one where we were short, but he wasn’t meant to be sub, Joao Gomes was meant to be sub but he didn’t feel great with his hamstring when he woke up this morning, so Wes ended up going on the bench.

"It’s probably slightly too early in his development, but it’s the situation we’re in."

Okoduwa becomes eligible to sign a scholarship deal with Wolverhampton Wanderers on July 1, 2024 but it remains to be seen if they can keep hold of him in the summer. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit: wolves.co.uk

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