Wolves’ strongest starting XI and bench after transfer window - including £75m trio - gallery

Wolverhampton Wanderers will be eager to get back to Premier League action after a successful January transfer window came to an end. With six new first-team signings, Julen Lopetegui didn’t just dip into the market – he delved deep. There is now plenty of optimism that they can escape the drop.

Currently hovering above the relegation zone on goal difference alone, there’s still a long way to go until Wolves can feel confident about safety, but the fresh faces through the door will certainly help matters. The biggest money arrival was Matheus Cunha, who signed on a loan deal with an obligation to buy for around £40 million from Atletico Madrid.

Meanwhile, wonderkid midfielder Joao Gomes joined from Flamengo, experienced defender Craig Dawson came in from West Ham United, and Spain international Pablo Sarabia was snapped up from Paris Saint-Germain. Box-to-box ace Mario Lemina also headed to Molineux - from OGC Nice - and a new backup goalkeeper arrived in the form of Daniel Bentley from Bristol City.

Not only will the new players undoubtedly have involvement in trying to keep Wanderers up, but also a couple of those who have been sidelined for a while through injury. Boubacar Traore, whose loan will become permanent come July, is expected to return in early March, whereas Pedro Neto could be back as soon as the end of this month. Unfortunately, Sasa Kalajdzic and Chiquinho will miss the rest of the campaign.

With that in mind, here is what we think is Wolves’ strongest starting XI and substitutes’ bench once everyone is fit and available - apart from Kalajdzic and Chiquinho, of course. See below.