EXCLUSIVE: Wolves consider free agent signings of two veteran Premier League defenders following Yerson Mosquera ACL injury with Molineux side restricted to signing of only home grown players after reaching limit for non-home grown players

Wolves are considering moves for former Newcastle United stalwart Paul Dummett and ex-Crystal Palace defender James Tomkins after losing Yerson Mosquera to an ACL injury.

Yerson Mosquera was stretchered off as Wolverhampton Wanderers lost 3-1 to Midland neighbours Aston Villa.

Manager Gary O’Neil tipped Mosquera for a breakout season at Wolves over the summer, and following the sale of captain Max Kilman to West Ham. The youngster had been one of the success stories of the 2024/25 campaign in the opening weeks too.

But the Colombia international is unlikely to be seen again until deep into 2025, now, with Wolves’ Head of High Performance confirming the club’s worst fears.

Given that the January transfer window is still months away, Wolverhampton Wanderers will have to dip into the free-agent market if they are to offset Mosquera’s long-term absence with a replacement.

But with no space left in O’Neil’s 25-man squad for any non-homegrown players, Wolves will be limited to English-born players if they want to pursue a short-term solution.

James Tomkins and Paul Dummett under consideration by Wolves

HITC can confirm that James Tomkins is an option. At the age of 35, former West Ham ace Tomkins left Crystal Palace in the summer.

Paul Dummett, three years the former’s junior, is another option. The Wales international had spent the entirety of his career at Newcastle United. Dummett’s ability to provide cover at left-back as well as centre-half may appeal to O’Neil. Then again, given that Mosquera is a right-footer, Tomkins may be a better tactical fit over southpaw Dummett.

Between them, the veteran duo have made 440 Premier League appearances. Neither Tomkins nor Dummett would be likely to feature regularly if they were to join, of course, with Wolves more likely to give Santiago Bueno a bigger role in Mosquera’s absence.