Kevin Phillips has exclusively told Football FanCast that further experience in the Championship could lead to youngster Dion Sanderson earning a place in the Wolves squad in years to come.
Sanderson is currently enjoying a highly-successful loan spell at Phillips’ former side Sunderland, playing a key part in their recent surge towards the automatic promotion spots.
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Since forcing his way into Lee Johnson’s team last month, the on-loan Wolves defender has started each of the Black Cats previous 10 League One matches, playing every minute in the last nine.
Sanderson’s only first-team involvement at Wolves came in an EFL Cup defeat at Aston Villa last season – with his only other experience in senior football coming on loan at Cardiff last term.
Sunderland want to bring Sanderson back to the Stadium of Light next season, should they get promoted back to the Championship, and Phillips believe that a campaign in the second-tier would put the defender in good stead for his eventual return to Wolves.
Phillips told Football FanCast:
“I love to see young players stay out and get more experience. Listen, he’s only really had experience in League One.
“Hopefully Sunderland do get up and Wolves let him go and get more experience in the Championship, where you are coming up against better quality of centre-forward, better quality of players and that will really test him.
“And if he shines there then Wolves have got a player on their hands, an asset and a player that the next season or season after can slot into the Wolves side and start performing.”
Sanderson has impressed at Sunderland this season, so it’s no wonder they’re interested in getting him back next season.
But given his age and ability, the on-loan Wolves centre-back isn’t going to be short of buyers this summer, so Sunderland might face strong competition, especially if their promotion bid is a failed one.