Wolves sign Mancienne on loan

Wolves have signed Chelsea utility player Michael Mancienne for a third loan spell, with the player to remain at Molineux for the remainder of this season.

Mancienne initially played an important role in helping Wolves gain promotion from the Championship during the 2008-09 campaign.

He then rejoined the midlands club for last season and was used initially as a central defender and then in a holding midfield role.

The 22-year-old will be available for Wolves' home Barclays Premier League clash with Newcastle on Saturday.

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy had indicated he was interested primarily in re-signing Mancienne on loan as opposed to on a permanent basis.

The England Under-21 player finalised details of the loan switch at Wolves' Compton training ground this morning.

Mancienne has spoken previously of the benefits of playing regular first-team football rather than being on the fringe of the squad at Stamford Bridge.

In his first spell at Wolves, Mancienne made 10 appearances as a five-year spell without top flight football was ended.

His form during that period earned him a first senior call-up by England for the friendly international against Germany in Berlin when he was an unused substitute.

Mancienne also impressed McCarthy sufficiently to return last season when he made 33 appearances.

He still has three years remaining on his current deal at Chelsea.